Primary care’s IT infrastructure needs to be much better if it is to keep up with the surge in remote consultations sparked by the pandemic, a leadings doctors’ representative body has said.

The BMA’s comments follow the publication of a hard-hitting report from the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee today.

In the report, MSPs call for an end to 9-to-5 working patterns that they say have not kept up with modern living.  

Before March 2020, around 300 appointments on a remote video consultation platform – known as NHS Near Me – had taken place. By June, the need for social distancing meant nearly 17,000 remote appointments had been carried out between patients and clinicians.

By November virtual consultation hit the half a million mark.

The committee was told that the Scottish government expects Near Me to be a ‘core component in delivering modern health and care services going forward’.

In its report, the committee says it applauds its widespread adoption.

But keeping up this level of remote contact with patients will not be possible without better broadband and digital phone systems, says Dr Andrew Buist, Chair of the BMA’s Scottish GP Committee.

He says there are “clear problems” highlighted by the Health and Sport Committee’s report that the BMA has previously raised concerns about.

“In terms of initial impressions, the focus on prevention and improved technology and IT for better data sharing are welcome,” Dr Buist told healthandcare.scot.

“Teleconsulting is, for now, a central part of how we work, both via phone and Near Me – and while this isn’t always the ideal situation for everyone, it appears for many it is an easier and less time-consuming way to speak to their GP.

“But to continue doing this longer-term, primary care will require better broadband and digital telephone systems.

“…We have long suggested primary care work, and that of GPs, is held back by an excessive dependency on paper based systems that are just not fit for purpose.”

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