NHS begins new trial that offers consultations via phone

Millions of NHS patients are being offered an appointment with their GP by video on their smartphones under a controversial new scheme. The service, which has left experts concerned, is to be trialed at five surgeries in London but it is predicted it will become the standard way to'see' a doctor. Patients will be able to get a GP appointment within minutes using the new service, which will work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The technology has been developed for use in private medicine by Babylon. It will be paid from the public purse to run the trial of the'GP at Hand' service.