January 2018 – IHC Update

New same-day GP service supports wellbeing in the workplace.

Doctaly, which launched last November, is offering a new ‘Uber-style’ service that guarantees same-day GP appointments.

The founders, Ben Teichman and GP, Dr Dinesh Silva saw a huge demand from both doctors and patients for an alternative way to book appointments and access a GP. The online service, which is designed to supplement the NHS and alleviate the burden on A&E, is expected to grow to an estimated 500,000 users over the next few months. Where the service differs from many virtual GP providers who already offer advice over the phone or online, is that it offers face-to-face appointments only with an NHS GP in a surgery environment.

“Every Doctaly patient is one less person in the NHS queue,” said Teichman. Whilst some have expressed concerns that Doctaly will result in doctors doing less NHS work, the service prides itself on high ethical standards and social responsibility. Teichman reassures them that: “NHS contractual obligations must be fulfilled and will not be compromised by our service. We have strict rules in our contracts and in the platform, preventing any doctor from doing more than 30 minutes of private work, when doing a full day of NHS work.”

One of the benefits of Doctaly is that patients can book a same-day appointment with a GP of their choice. The results can be filtered by additional qualifications, such as dermatology or paediatrics meaning that people get the right care they need when they need it.

Following a successful pilot in London last year and high demand for the service, Doctaly is now being rolled out nationwide.

Doctaly are also working with employers to help them promote workplace wellbeing. By signing up to the service, employers can extend improved GP access to their employees, ensuring they are seen in a timely, affordable and convenient manner, without major disruption to home and work life.

Talk to your IHC consultant about our preferential partner rates for this service and find out how Doctaly can complement your organisation’s employee health and wellbeing strategy.