Digital GP service in London will impact employers – Aon Employee Benefits

The roll-out of a new NHS initiative providing digital access to GP services for patients in central London will have ‘immediate impacts for employers and employees in the area’, according to Aon Employee Benefits. The consultant describes the introduction of the service as an ‘inexorable shift’ towards connected healthcare and technology.

In a report, Digital GPs and the NHS, Aon explains that workers in the area covered by the service will effectively need to decide between remaining with the current GP or leaving and joining the new service. The report points out that, although digital services are likely to reduce the time out from work needed to attend appointments, and bring faster access to some medical care for employees, they are less likely to resolve complex cases and will not cover some people or conditions.

Mark Witte, head of healthcare & risk consulting at Aon, said:

‘Employers with staff based outside the catchment area will have to consider how to best integrate what is currently a local initiative with the national wellbeing strategy. Ultimately, a full assessment of exactly what an employer requires from a digital GP and how it effectively integrates with their health and wellbeing strategy should form the basis of decisions.’