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DID you know that you could consult with your doctor’s surgery online, at a time that suits you?

A number of North East GP practices are offering online consultations to patients as part of a national £45 million investment by the NHS into new consultation types.

You can escape the wait and take control of your treatment by simply visiting your practice website to start an online consultation.

The initiative, which includes practices in Darlington, and Hartlepool and Stockton, allows patients to access safe and efficient advice for their health conditions, as well as being able to submit a query to their GP using a home computer, tablet or smart phone, and receive a response by the end of the next working day.

There is a wealth of information available, including a symptom checker (self-help guides and videos about common conditions), pharmacy advice, link to NHS 111 and help to request a prescription.

Dr Saleem Hassan, NHS Darlington CCG said: “Recent years have seen the rapid development in the number of online consultation systems helping patients to connect with their practice in a new way.

“It’s not for everyone, but our aim is to offer increased choice and accessibility. For many patients, online consultations offer a quick and convenient way to access health advice without having to take time away from work or home to see a GP face to face. Some people also feel more comfortable talking about their problems online rather than face to face, and we believe this now offers patients a new way to access advice and treatment.”

Online consultations also free up time for GPs and other health professionals, allowing them to spend more time managing patients with complex needs.

How it works

Online consultations allow patients to submit a query to their practice electronically via the practice website. Patients will be able to use a symptom checker (self-help guides and videos about common conditions), find pharmacy advice, link to the NHS 111 service (a free phone line for medical advice in the UK), request administrative help (such as to request a repeat prescription), or request to see a GP.

If the patient is identified as in need of immediate medical attention (through identification of red-flag symptoms) while completing the form, they are directed to relevant services.

Patients will receive a response from their practice by the end of the following working day and there are no financial charges for patients using the system.

Darlington practices taking part in the scheme are: Clifton Court Medical Practice, Denmark Street Surgery, Neasham Road Surgery, Rockliffe Court, Moorlands Surgery, Whinfield Surgery, St Georges Medical Practice and Parkgate Surgery.

Hartlepool and Stockton practices include: Alma Medical Centre, Chadwick Practice, Dovecot Surgery, Elm Tree Surgery, Havelock Grange Practice, Kingsway Medical Centre, Melrose Surgery, Seaton Surgery, Queens Park Medical Centre, Woodlands Family Medical Centre, Arrival Practice, Densham Surgery, Koh Practice, Mckenzie House Surgery, Queenstree Practice, West View Millenium Surgery and Wynyard Road Primary Care Centre.

Visit your practice website for further details.