A monkeypox advice line to help GPs deal with cases of the virus at the touch of a button has launched in southeast London.
GPs seeking advice on treating the rare infection can now ring one number to connect them to a consultant. Consultant Connect, the UK’s leading telemedicine provider, installed the lines in a matter of hours.
There are more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox in the UK [correct as of July 5], and most have been in gay or bisexual men. It was reported recently that nine of ten cases have been in London.
The line has now received 96 calls, with 52% being referred to infectious diseases specialists and 48% being dealt with by the GP following the advice.
When the GP calls the advice line, it goes to the first consultant on a rota. If that consultant is unable to answer in 15 seconds, the call is diverted to the next consultant on the rota. The process continues until the call is answered – usually in under a minute.
The line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It enables GPs to access clinical advice in this fast-developing area and direct the patient to the most appropriate clinical advice.
GPs uncertain about a patient presenting with symptoms of monkeypox were previously trying to get hold of a consultant through busy hospital switchboards. The new hotline offered an even quicker connection, and certainty calls would be answered whilst the patient is with them.
GPs in southeast London are familiar with Consultant Connect technology as they are already set up with phone lines to access 75 other specialities, including cardiology, haematology, rheumatology and dermatology.
The service also allows GPs to send clinical photos to consultants in an IG secure and GDPR compliant manner.
David Reith, Director of Commissioning Strategy at NHS South East London ICS said: “One of the biggest benefits of Consultant Connect is how nimble and responsive it is. As an example, a southeast London trust wanted to set up a line for GPs on monkeypox to ensure that they could give access to specialist advice and discuss treatment options.
“The line was able to be established the same day, communicated out to our GPs, and meant that we could connect different parts of the system in a flash. We believe that improving connectivity between primary and secondary care is critical to improving patient and outcomes – and Consultant Connect has a massive role to play in helping us do that.”
Jonathan Patrick, CEO of Consultant Connect, said: “Covid has taught healthcare systems that a quick response is the right response when dealing with infectious diseases. Giving GPs and other clinicians immediate access to expert advice on identifying and treating monkeypox will massively improve patient care and the population’s health. We’re facing yet another unfamiliar disease and London’s GPs, who are already under immense pressure, need every tool possible to tackle it head-on.”
Featured Image Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash
