A VIRTUAL GP WHEN YOU LIKE, BUT IT’LL COST YOU £40

YOU’LL find GP services at private hospitals, but many high street names offer GP appointments – often via videocalls and often within 24 hours. High-street giants such as Boots and Superdrug are just two examples, charging roughly £40 per appointment.

Boots offers its GP service via the Livi app – so you need a smartphone or tablet. If you use the code BOOTS10, you’ll only be charged £29 for an appointment.

Superdrug’s The GP Service works via the retailer’s website (superdrug.thegpservice.co.uk) so you can use a laptop or computer with a webcam – or a smartphone or tablet.

All the major private insurance companies offer 24/7 virtual GP appointments for free to their policy-holders.

Appointment times can be in evenings and at weekends – but private GPs are more likely to spend longer with patients.

The NHS offers a similar service, called GP At Hand, which allows patients to book GP appointments on their smartphone or at a local clinic, for free. Be warned, though. Registering for free with GP At Hand will mean the service replaces your NHS GP.

Pay a subscription fee – £149 per year – and you can use the GP At Hand service and keep your NHS doctor.