The UK’s myGP healthcare app saw video consultation appointments rise by 1,451% in March 2020, amid Covid-19 lockdown conditions, as tech-savvy patients seek new ways to access appointments via their mobile phone.
In March, 915 video calls/consultations were made using the app, compared to just 59 video appointments in February 2020 as patients listen to Government advice to only leave home if it really is essential.
The latest statistics available from myGP show there was also a 179% increase in medications successfully delivered directly to patients’ homes, as digital prescription orders almost doubled — a 47% rise from 93,116 orders in February, to 137,022 in March.
Louise Kitchingham, Communications and PR Manager at myGP, said: “myGP allows patients to have a remote consultation with their registered doctor so they do not need to worry about travelling from home to the surgery.
“It allows them to book an appointment, order medicines, and have a consultation all from home. The app provides credible access to NHS information, health tracking and medication reminders, which all aim to keep people safe and healthy during these worrying times.
“It is important, however that people continue to seek the help of their GP should they have concerns about their health. Through myGP, this is all possible without having to leave the house, so there is no reason why people should be putting off ‘seeing’ their GP.”
The myGP app has been developed by iPLATO, a multi-award-winning healthcare technology company. The app is designed to simplify access to healthcare and has been created in partnership with the NHS. The technology is currently in use at more than 6,500 practices across the UK and increases interaction between GP practices and patients.