More than two-thirds of Brits resort to Dr Google for medical advice 'due to long GP delays' - potentially putting millions at risk of worsening their health. A staggering 69% of UK patients who are waiting to see a specialist or receive treatment have turned to the internet for answers.
Half of those quizzed are Googling their symptoms or condition to get some 'reassurance' (49%), to self-medicate while they await treatment or diagnosis (40%) or because they felt 'powerless' (22%). One in ten even admitted they'd done this because they didn't think they'd received the right diagnosis from their GP (10%).
According to NHS data, there are 7.3million people waiting for NHS treatment in England - up by nearly 3million since the start of the pandemic. The latest NHS satisfaction report shows that many patients are unhappy with the GP service they are receiving, with long waiting times for appointments cited as the main cause of frustration.
