"why have E-consults ?"

extreme disappointment with the E-consult service at this GP surgery. While the idea of E-consults is convenient, in practice, it's anything but.

Every single time I have submitted an E-consult, instead of the issue being resolved online or via a simple follow-up, I have been required to call the surgery to arrange an appointment. This completely defeats the purpose of the E-consult system.

The E-consult process involves:

Taking the time to carefully and thoroughly explain my medical issue in writing.

Answering a series of detailed questions.

Submitting the form, with the expectation that this will streamline the process.

However, the outcome is always the same: a phone call from the surgery telling me I need to come in. This makes the entire online process a complete waste of my time. It's essentially an online form that only serves to tell the surgery I need an appointment, something I could have done with a simple phone call in the first place.

This system is inefficient and frustrating. It creates extra work for patients without providing any of the promised benefits of online consultations. I urge the surgery to review its E-consult process