Why patients choose an online GP
- I need medical advice today When you are unwell, you may want to speak to a doctor without spending time looking for an available appointment.
- I don't want to leave home while I'm sick If the problem is suitable for remote assessment, you may be able to speak to a GP from the comfort of your own home.
- I don't want to spend hours waiting For appropriate non-emergency problems, an online consultation can sometimes avoid unnecessary travel and waiting.
- I want to speak to a doctor who listens An experienced GP can listen to your symptoms, understand your concerns and help you decide what to do next.
When you’re ill, convenience matters
When you’re ill, even getting dressed, travelling to a clinic and sitting in a waiting room can feel like a lot of effort.
For many common, non-emergency problems, an online consultation may be enough to assess your symptoms, discuss treatment options and decide whether you actually need to be seen in person.
You can speak directly with an experienced GP from the comfort of your own home, without having to spend time travelling or waiting to be seen.
Sometimes avoiding the waiting room is part of the convenience
Sometimes avoiding the waiting room is part of the convenience.
If you have a straightforward problem such as a UTI, you may not want to spend hours in a crowded waiting room, particularly during respiratory virus season. When a problem can safely be assessed online, an online consultation may allow you to get medical advice without an unnecessary trip.
Your time matters
Your time matters.
Whether you normally use the public healthcare system or have private health insurance, finding an available appointment or visiting an urgent care centre can sometimes take time.
If your symptoms are suitable for an online assessment, you may be able to speak to a GP from home instead.
You’re not paying simply for a faster appointment. You’re paying for convenience, professional medical assessment and the time you save.
Experienced and empathetic medical care
An experienced GP can do more than simply tell you what medicine to take.
A good consultation starts by listening to what is happening, understanding your concerns and looking at the whole picture.
The aim is to help you understand what may be happening, what you can do next and whether you actually need further assessment in person.
What can an online GP help with?
This service is for patients aged 6 and over. Not every condition can be managed online. Where a page already explains a problem, you can read it before you request a consultation.
- UTI symptoms
- Coughs and colds
- Flu-like symptoms
- Sinusitis symptoms
- Sore throat
- Respiratory infections
- Uncomplicated skin problems
- Minor gastrointestinal problems
- Common infections
- Medication questions
- Prescription requests when clinically appropriate
- Private medical certificates when clinically appropriate (they do not replace an official Social Security sick leave)
When online consultation is not enough
An online consultation is not appropriate for every medical problem.
If you need a physical examination, testing, imaging, urgent treatment or hospital care, you should be assessed in person.
Examples include significant difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, collapse or fainting, a severe allergic reaction, significant bleeding, confusion, a rapidly deteriorating condition, and other potentially serious or life-threatening symptoms. In Spain the emergency number is 112.