The Independent General Practice has responded to the COVID-19 outbreak by launching remote online GP consultations accessed via its website, as well as remote physiotherapy sessions and pathology tests.
The new services, which are being rolled out this week, will be available to all members of the public who can now book individual 15-minute consultations via video or phone, access physiotherapy sessions by video as needed and administer finger prick blood tests, swabs and urine tests at home which are directly sent to IGP’s pathology labs for results.
The IGP has clinics in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Bristol, but services are available to patients across the UK. Due to the current fast changing situation, the IGP made the switch from face to face appointments to remote consultations on Monday (23 March). The move marks the start of a planned roll out of other primary services being offered remotely, and will assist existing patients whilst taking much needed pressure off its NHS partners.
Dr Joanna Longstaffe, Clinical Director of the Independent General Practice, said: “In light of the extraordinary situation we find ourselves in, the IGP made the decision to stop all face to face appointments with immediate effect. This will safeguard both our patients and our staff and ensure we can provide a secure and reliable service.
“We are fortunate to have had an effective system and contingency plan in place which allowed us to move immediately and smoothly to remote only consultations. Our telephone lines and emails are running as normal.
“Our services will be under regular review during this period, with ongoing updates to our patients accordingly. We apologise for any inconvenience of not being able to see patients in person, but hope everybody understands at this difficult time that it is paramount that we all do as much as we can to help limit the spread of Covid-19.”
As well as remote GP consultations, physiotherapy and pathology services, the IGP is still offering prescriptions faxed to pharmacies for collection, repeat prescriptions and referrals where appropriate. Online consultations are being offered at a reduced cost of £49 for 15 minutes.
