IRISH PEOPLE WILL be able to schedule online appointments with their doctor by the summer and the price is expected to be considerably lower than a visit to the GP’s office.

The new telemedicine service, GP-Online, will mean patients can have face-to-face consultations with their doctor on their smart phone, iPads and computers.

The National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) launched the service today and said it’s unique as patients will be able to deal with their own GP, which will ensure continuity of care.

It’s expected to be rolled out in the second quarter of the year. The project’s Director Dr Michael McConville said:

The new service will be very convenient for patients short on time, but will be particularly useful for those that are immobile and unwell as it will mean that they will not have to leave their own home.

Patients will be able to schedule an appointment with their GP through the app’s booking system.

The cost of this service to patients will be set by each GP, but is expected to be considerably lower than the current cost of an appointment.

The service is at an advanced stage of development and will be formally unveiled at the Primary Care Partnership Conference and NAGP AGM at the end of this month.

Read: ‘We’re not asking for much, just access to a doctor’>