Research conducted by Healthwatch England, Traverse, and National Voices has found that some patients receiving remote consultations found them to be inaccessible.
Some disabled patients benefited from virtual conferences with medical staff, however the research suggests that there should be no blanket roll out of video conferencing.
Disability Rights UK reports that the researchers have urged the NHS “to use the right blend of communication for specific patients, blending text, phone, email, video and in-person.”
“Where video consultations are used, people should be given an appointment time and told what the meeting will cover. At the consultation, there should be enough time to listen to the patient and respond to concerns and questions.”
It was also suggested that during virtual consultations patients should be given links to useful information and local groups.
