Dear LPG,

I was watching TV the other day and I saw a really interesting advert.  I am hoping that LPG will be able to put a link with the advert that I am talking about below.  It was advertising a GP service where the consultation is done via a video link on your phone or tablet, well within half an hour of your first call, and at first I thought it was a really good idea.

But when I started to think a little more about it I began to wonder how it really would work.  So I found some more information about the site on another little video, which I also hope that LPG will be able to find for you to see.  

My questions as I listened to the explanatory video were:-

1,         People appear to have to be able to use a computer to access this service.  We oldies may have problems with the Internet when we are well, let alone when we do not feel 100 percent.

2,         Can these video doctors really have access to potential clients’ medical history as quickly as an appointment can be arranged?  Could the client really be sure about the names of medications they are already taking or exactly when they last experienced a similar problem etc.

3,         All these video GPs have to go on is what they can see of the client on the screen.  Apart from reading clients’ notes, is all the time GPs spend taking blood pressure and checking your breathing and feeling for lumps etc. really necessary?

4,         Why is this service so expensive?  It is often said; but did all us post-war workers not pay our national insurance do so that this and an adequate health service would be available to us in our old age?

I am not sure if I am passing all this info on to LPG readers because I think that it is a good idea or because of what I see as some major draw-backs.

RM, Lee

LPG has checked with RM and can confirm that this is the advertisement that she is talking about. 

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RM also has confirmed that the link below will take you to the explanation she found online…

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And here is some more information on the subject.  LPG also found some information about similar service and asks you to note that the final link will take you to an article which points to many of RM’s concerns if you read the later paragraphs…

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