GPs set to carry out video consultations on Skype to combat the coronavirus outbreak

GPs in County Durham have been told to make changes in response to the outbreak, which has so far seen 12 people in the North East test positive for the disease.

And this is due to see more patients asked to take part in remote consultations via video link in an attempt to keep people out of surgeries.

“One thing we’re trying to do very quickly is set up practices to do video consultations,” said Dr Joseph Chandy, director of primary care at the Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield (DDES) and North Durham Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

“If we can fit webcams in all surgeries they can send a link to patients and patients can open that to immediately Skype.

“It would never have been that popular under normal circumstances, but I think with coronavirus video consulting will take off quite quickly.”

Dr Chandy was speaking at this morning’s (Wednesday, March 11) meeting of Durham County Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

He added health chiefs had been contacted on Tuesday, March 10 and given 24 hours to set up a ‘coronavirus home management service’.

This is expected to see a hotline set up for confirmed and suspected cases to get advice on symptoms and how to deal with issues arising from self-isolation, such as shopping or managing pets.

New procedures are also expected to be introduced for patients attempting to book appointments.

This could see anyone booking a slot through an automated online system told to wait for a confirmatory text or phone call before they go to surgeries.