GP phone consultation 'increases overall workload'

Introducing GP consultations over the phone, rather than face-to-face appointments, does not reduce pressure in busy surgeries, a study shows.

Professor John Campbell, who carried out the study, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme, said the call-back system where patients who look for an appointment with their GP "increased the overall workload for the practices".

He added that the costs of delivering the call-back system were "similar to delivering normal care" and said that having rapid access to a doctor was one of the advantages of telephone consultations.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday 4 August.