Dr. Colm Henry:

I see online consultations enhancing rather than replacing existing practice. Nothing can replace direct contact between a medical practitioner, nurse or allied healthcare professional with a patient. However, there are some examples of how we are putting this to good use. We have a heart failure virtual clinic operating in the south east. It has replaced traditional referrals to consultants and has resulted in 80% of people who otherwise would have been sent for specialist consultations being dealt with through online consultation between GPs and consultants. We have other examples of similar online consultations, admittedly between primary practitioners and secondary care practitioners, which again replaces people who would be referred to waiting lists and to me is a much better investment in care. The Deputy's question focuses on how it pertains to direct engagement with patients. My opinion and that of clinical leads in our healthcare system is that we would see this as enhancing traditional consultation, meaning direct patient engagement, rather than replacing it, except in very defined circumstances.