The NHS app must not be used as a \u2018cheap\u2019 substitute for family doctors, DAUK\u2019s GP committee has told national radio listeners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Steve Taylor, GP co-lead for the Doctors\u2019 Association UK (DAUK), said he was concerned at reports patients were being told they have serious illness through the app rather than face to face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking on LBC, he said the Government needed to strengthen GP services instead of relying on technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Taylor said: \u201cThe reality is it\u2019s trying to do things cheaply without actually investing in what we really need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA face-to-face appointment with a GP is an important interaction that makes a massive difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are fewer GPs now than 10 or 15 years ago, and the reality is we need more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Taylor was responding to reports that patients have learned they may have serious conditions such as cancer or Parkinson\u2019s disease through the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Taylor said the app works well for booking appointments and ordering prescriptions, he that it cannot replace human care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cGPs warned this might be a problem right at the beginning when they started releasing all the information onto the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s not good at sharing empathy, nuance, and understanding. It can’t tell you whether or not the result you’ve got is abnormal for you or is normal for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt really isn\u2019t good enough to be told that you\u2019ve got cancer via an app. As a GP, I want to see you face to face, look you in the eye, and talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n