NHS to launch ‘virtual’ A&E

Fears of ‘creeping privatisation’ as Birmingham launches digital consultation

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(Image credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The NHS is to launch a “virtual A&E” service, encouraging millions of patients to use technology to assess how ill they are in a bid to reduce casualty and outpatient appointments.

In a “ground-breaking” trial, says The Guardian, patients in Birmingham will be advised to use digital chat services, online symptom checkers and video consultations with doctors and nurses to help relieve the “unsustainable” pressure on services. Some of the chat services will be live but many will be automated.

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