Warning over online GP services
ROSIE COOPER MP has warned that patients living in West Lancashire who choose to register with online GPs based outside the area risk losing out on certain support from West Lancashire CCG or the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).
The unforeseen effect on registering with an online GP out of the area, is that West Lancashire CCG does not represent or work with this practice, as its partners are all West Lancashire based.
The MP has recently been contacted by a constituent who reported that his NWAS transport to a referral appointment in Chorley was cancelled at the last minute once it was identified that his online GP was registered in London, and West Lancashire CCG refused to cover the travel cost.
Ms Cooper said: “This highlights the unexplained difficulties with an online GP and one which has meant that an important medical appointment may have been missed by the patient and cost the NHS money due to internal financial policies.
“The Secretary of State should remedy these deficiencies or ensure that there is a duty to explain the consequences of an online or out of area GP service.
“West Lancashire CCG should not be denying support to residents who exercise their right to choose to access their GP provision elsewhere, be it online or otherwise, particularly when registering with a GP app widely promoted by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.”
She said she had written to Mr Hancock calling for action or “at the very least” clarification for patients before they change GP and West Lancashire CCG to ask that the ambulance policy be reviewed.