Responding to Sajid Javid’s speech at the Royal College of Physicians, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Sajid Javid has failed to put forward a credible plan to recruit the staff needed to tackle the 6 million people now waiting for treatment and the further millions who are struggling to get a GP appointment.
“Offering patients a so-called “choice” to travel hundreds of miles away from home and loved ones for a delayed operation when they’re scared and in pain and then selling that as reform is baffling.
“And if Javid thinks an app on a phone will save the day, then he really is completely out of ideas.”
Studies of the benefits of video calls have shown only minimal benefits, compared with traditional phone calls or in person visits, with just 0.5% of appointments being made online or by video currently. Full story here.