A UK wide homecare provider is helping to tackle one of the biggest frustrations facing older people and their families – getting a GP appointment.

GoodOaks Homecare has launched a new complimentary GoodOaks Virtual GP service, giving clients round-the-clock access to online GP appointments powered by Doctor Care Anywhere.

The move follows GoodOaks’ polling of their clients, which revealed that:

58% of GoodOaks clients worry about getting a GP appointment

64% find phoning for an appointment stressful

40% say delays have negatively impacted their wellbeing

The service allows clients to book appointments with GPs, physiotherapists, mental health specialists and Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, via secure video or telephone consultations.

Ben Ashton, of GoodOaks Homecare, said:

“We know how important it is for our clients to have timely access to healthcare without the stress and disruption of unnecessary hospital visits. Our polling highlights just how challenging it can be to get an appointment when you need one – that’s why we’re delighted to offer this innovative new service as part of our commitment to providing outstanding, responsive and forward-thinking care.”

The findings also showed that 60% of clients find it helpful to have a care professional present during a GP appointment – something the new service makes much easier to arrange, helping care professionals and healthcare professionals work closely together for the client’s benefit.

Alongside the company’s recently launched digital health monitoring system, which provides early alerts to changes in clients’ wellbeing, the Virtual GP represents another step forward in GoodOaks’ approach to personalised, technology-enabled care.

The GoodOaks Virtual GP service is available to all clients across the network at no additional cost.