"Q-Doctor allows patients to see a GP without having to travel in to the surgery, from the comfort of their own home, using a device they already have in their pocket."
Dr Tom Eames, GP Partner at Lakeside Stamford
Called Q-Doctor, the service is linked to an app that allows patients to book a secure video appointment with a doctor. It was created Dr Chris Whittle, an NHS doctor and NHS England Clinical Entrepreneur, and has now been adopted by several surgeries across England.
Stamford is the first area in the Lakeside Healthcare group of surgeries to offer this service. If it is successful, it will be rolled out across the network which encompasses nine surgery hubs across the East Midlands, in line with the aspirations set out in the national NHS Long Term Plan.
Dr Tom Eames, GP Partner at Lakeside Stamford, said: “Q-Doctor allows patients to see a GP without having to travel in to the surgery, from the comfort of their own home, using a device they already have in their pocket, saving them travel time and money.
“It also allows doctors to work more flexibly. The doctor, who initiates the video consultation when it is due, could be physically at their practice or working from somewhere else but securely logged in to their clinic to see patients from the practice list. GPs will still conduct their documentation, tasks, referrals and prescribing just as they normally would over their practice IT system, but they can provide more appointments as a result – including at evenings and weekends - and patients can attend those appointments far more easily.
“We are pleased and excited to be able to offer this revolutionary service to the people of Stamford and look forward to seeing patients downloading the app and making full use of it.”
Q-Doctor appointments are available to any patients registered with Lakeside Healthcare Stamford who are over the age of 18. The platform is safe, secure and protects patient data in line with NHS policy.
To find out more, go to https://www.lakesidehealthcarestamford.co.uk/q-doctor or call the Lakeside Stamford surgeries on 01780 437017 (Sheepmarket Surgery) or 01780 764121 (St Mary's Medical Centre).
