Speak to an NHS GP by video with LIVI

At this time of the year, getting to see a GP soon can be almost impossible but a new online consultation service means that patients in East Sussex can see a doctor by video during evenings and weekends 365 days a year – even on Christmas day!

LIVI has been made available free on the NHS by South Downs Health and Care – a local Federation of NHS GP practices in Eastbourne, Hailsham, Seaford and the surrounding areas. [c1]

LIVI is free to patients and offers a safe, fast and easy way to book GP consultations via smartphone or tablet. They have already delivered more than a million GP consultations for patients who have given the service an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.

After downloading the app, patients in East Sussex can speak to experienced NHS GPs who are able to provide medical advice, prescriptions, and make referrals to local NHS services in exactly the same way as your usual doctor.

The app is available for download on iOS and Android. It is designed to be quick and easy to use and integrates with existing NHS systems so that minimal set-up and effort is required for patients.

It is highly popular with people who struggle to get to their GP surgery either through mobility issues, work commitments or childcare.

It has also earned particular praise from parents with children aged from two to 16, who can often need medical advice quickly and at ‘out of hours’ times.

The benefits for patients and doctors are enormous. At a time when it is sometimes very difficult to see a GP, LIVI allows patients to see a doctor when it suits them, including evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. As well as helping patients, the service reduces pressure on A&E services and allows GP practices more time to treat patients who need a physical examination or have more complex needs.

The pressure on GP surgeries and A&E departments is well known and the statistics back this up with an NHS survey published in August revealing that one in four people across the country had to wait more than a week to see a GP. Consequently, 12% of patients who could not make the GP appointment they were offered went to A&E.

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