National Friendly opens up GP access with new telephone and video GP service

BRISTOL, U.K. - April 24, 2020 - PRLog -- National Friendly has linked with leading digital health provider of remote primary care, Medical Solutions, to offer clients holding its Optimum private medical insurance In/day-patient Plan and Out-patient Plan unlimited free telephone or video access to Medical Solutions' panel of private GPs.

National Friendly thinks that this service could be a benefit particularly for the over 50s and over 60s, many of who have been hit hard by having to stay at home during the COVID-19 outbreak. Of the 60.4m patients registered with GP practices in the UK, over 21.3million are aged over 50.

Wayne Carter, Head of Sales and Marketing at National Friendly, explains, "We have moved quickly to implement the lessons we are all still learning from the COVID-19 outbreak.  In our opinion, the lockdown has prompted a rethink in the way people can and must access primary care. It has also been particularly hard on older members of the community. Our clients tend to be in this demographic group, so finding ways of reassuring and supporting them has been critical for us, as many have not been able to see a GP. The Medical Solutions remote GP service helps to fill an important gap, not just for those worried about COVID-19, but also for the many other patients who have put other health issues on hold by staying at home, which is not always the best strategy."

Users of the service will first speak to a specially trained operator who takes some details and arranges for a GP to call back, with the patient being offered a choice of male or female GP, wherever possible. The GP telephone or video consultation service is available for unlimited use; if a patient's symptoms are not improving, or they later remember something which may be relevant, they can contact the service and speak to a doctor 24/7 to discuss any concerns.

Paul Nattrass, Commercial Director from Medical Solutions adds, "We are delighted to partner with National Friendly to make our 24/7 GP service available to Optimum members. Medical Solutions has been successfully delivering remote GP consultations for over 20 years, providing patients with advice and support for a wide range of medical conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated national lockdown has highlighted the usefulness of 'telemedicine' with consultations being delivered by phone and video. Patients who are obliged to stay at home, for whatever reason, may have no option but to have remote consultations, if they want to consult with a GP. Now they are discovering how effective this can be and as a result, this new way of seeing a GP has soared in popularity."