Patrick B. M. Burch

GP at Hand is a medical practice in London with a difference. Unlike a traditional practice, eligible patients can register online in three minutes and have a video consultation on their smartphone with a GP within two hours. Great for smartphone-owning commuters who struggle to fit a daytime GP appointment around work, but how will it affect those of us who still want to see our usual GP face-to-face?

Primary care is in crisis. Funding of general practice has not risen in line with the ever increasing demands being placed upon it. Patients are less satisfied and recruitment and retention of GPs is a big problem. While I strongly advocate for more primary care funding, this needs to be done in an equitable manner, with resources going to the patients and areas that need them the most.