Would you use an online hospital?
- Healthwatch Southend
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The NHS is planning to launch a new service, offering adult patients the chance to have an online outpatient appointment with a consultant in another part of the country. This should mean shorter waiting times and less travel. It is hoped the new NHS Online NHS Trust will be up and running from 2027. It forms part of the NHS 10 Year Plan and it is hoped that some 8 million appointments will be offered in the first three years.
Starting with gynaecology, urology, gastroenterology and ophthalmology, GPs and patients can decide whether a referral goes to NHS Online, or to an existing hospital. Patients can use the NHS App to see the progress with their referral, book an appointment time, get prescriptions and find more information to help manage their condition. If patients need x-rays or other tests, these can take place locally, sometimes ordered by the consultant before the outpatient consultation. Patients can choose when and where to have the investigations. Results are sent back to the consultant so that patient's records hold all the information needed.
The services provided by NHS Online will be inspected and regulated by the Care Quality Commission in the same way as any other NHS Trust. All doctors will be registered with the General Medical Committee. Like local hospitals, all patient data will be kept securely.
The Department of Health is stressing that anyone who can't use the NHS App will still be able to have appointments at an actual hospital of their choice. They hope that waiting times at local hospitals will reduce as more patients choose to use the online service.
Healthwatch Southend is being asked for its views on the plan. Tell us what you think, so that we can build your views into our response.
how happy would you be to "see" a consultant based in another part of the country?
what might worry you?
what information would you want to help you make a choice about whether to be referred to a hospital or NHS Online?
if you have already had a virtual consultation with a local consultant, what worked well and what could be improved?
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