TECHNOLOGY is being used to help people still get medical care from GP s - including monitoring coronavirus patients

Dr Kiren Collison, clinical chair at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “OCCG, practices and other health services have embraced technology to deal with the challenges thrown up by coronavirus. This is to ensure we can continue to care for patients and keep both patients and staff safe."

She added: "The new ways of providing care have also been well received by patients. They allow GPs to see and speak to patients and to understand if patients require more specialised care, for both Covid-19 and other conditions.”

Digital tools helping GPs and other health workers include video consultations, with 90 per cent of GP practices in Oxfordshire now using video technology this way. GPs will still see patients in their surgeries if they need to, with telephone appointments and online consultations also continuing to be used.

A Digital Care System is also being trialled at the Covid-19 clinic in East Oxford. This system, developed by Oxehealth, has been installed in five rooms at the clinic, and relies on an optical sensor to enable GPs to safely check a patient’s pulse and breathing rate measurements without being in the room.

Helen Shute, chief executive at GP federation OxFed, said: “It allows patients to receive a diagnosis quickly and in a safe environment which also protects clinicians. This initiative reflects the advancements and achievements the health service is making on our behalf during this pandemic.”