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Medical help - a phone call away |
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Edition 32: Autumn 2005
Over-the-phone medical guidance service GP-line (www.gp-line.co.uk) has proved so popular in the corporate sector that it is now launching to the general public.
Aimed at British expats who need advice in their native tongue or
travellers heading for remote locations, GP-line is a personalised
medical helpline service which can be accessed 24/7 from anywhere in
the world. For an annual subscription, members can call at any time and
receive a diagnosis and advice over the phone.
GP-line is staffed by a team of experienced UK family doctors who have
been specially trained for telephone consultations. It is not designed
as an alternative to normal emergency services ‐ GP-line doctors
cannot, for example prescribe drugs ‐ but it acts as a useful source of
advice for anyone who is unable to visit a GP in person, is seeking a
second opinion or is concerned about the health of relatives or
friends. No complaint is too trivial for the doctors at GP-line, who
can discuss even the most intimate complaints and offer guidance on
everything from minor aches and pains to coping with stress, terminal
illness and bereavement.
The initial request call, which is usually answered within thirty
seconds, is charged at local call rates; the doctor on duty
subsequently phones back at GP-line’s expense. The service is strictly
confidential. Calls are recorded for the protection of both members and
doctors and can be made available to a member’s own GP when
appropriate.
Richard Proctor, director of GP-line, comments: “Many people find it’s
easier to talk on the phone than in person. All our GPs have a
sympathetic approach and clear communication skills. They can advise on
an appropriate course of action and suggest over-the-counter
medication. To date, we’ve resolved 70% of members’ issues on the
phone, while the remaining 30% have been referred to their own GP or
another practitioner. This is a significant success rate.”
Any UK national can join GP-line: there are no exclusions on grounds of
medical history, and no restriction on the number and duration of calls
members can make. The service costs £58 per year for a single person,
£108 per year for a couple or single parent and £148 per year for
family membership. |
