Demand at GP surgeries in Wigan is rising

But with doctors across England continuing to rely on remote appointments far more than before the pandemic, the Patients Association warned they should not become “the new normal” without assessing the benefits to patients.

NHS Digital data shows patients booked 74,712 appointments with practices in the NHS Wigan Borough CCG area in June – 13 per cent more than in May. This was still 36 per cent fewer than the previous June, although demand in May was down 44 per cent year-on-year.

Across England, 20.6 million appointments were made in June – 4.3 million more than in May. It means appointments in June were 11 per cent lower compared to a year ago, while in May they had been down by 33 per cent.

The NHS cautions that changes in how practices operate during the pandemic may have affected the figures, with remote consultations under-reported.

In a recent speech to the Royal College of Physicians, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said increasing use of remote consultations had been “hugely positive”, and called for all sessions to be done remotely unless there is a “compelling clinical reason not to”.

But chief executive of the Patients Association Rachel Power said the Secretary of State should publish evidence showing this works for patients.

She added: “Patients have put up with a great deal over recent months to help the NHS cope with an unprecedented emergency – often at considerable cost to their own health and wellbeing.

“Phone, online or other types of virtual appointments cannot be allowed to become the new normal without an assessment of the benefits to patients.”

In Wigan, 54 per cent of sessions were completed over the phone in June, up from just seven per cent a year ago. Nationally, 48 per cent were conducted over the phone, compared to 13 per cent last year.

The Royal College of GPs says demand at GP surgeries could surpass pre-crisis levels nationally as people feel more confident accessing services.

Chairman Martin Marshall said: “As normal services begin to resume, general practice will be at the forefront of dealing with the health consequences of the pandemic, as well as continuing to deliver routine GP services and an expanded flu vaccination programme and prepare for a potential second wave of Covid-19.

“It is essential that GPs and their teams have the necessary guidance, resources, and workforce capacity to manage these new challenges and continue to deliver good-quality care to patients.”

A recent survey of RCGP members found 70 per cent of respondents thought telephone consultations increase efficiency.