Livi – A new way to talk to a GP

Livi – A new way to talk to a GP

August 27, 2020

North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group has become one of the first areas in England to introduce a new way to see a GP for all 220,000 people registered with North Tyneside GP practices. Livi is a service that allows you to speak to a UK registered GP by video. The pilot scheme will bring an additional 400 GP appointments each week through the new service. Click here for more information from North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group about the pilot scheme, including frequently asked questions.

The Livi service is open:

Monday to Friday 7am-10pm

Saturday and Sunday 8am-4pm

The GP you speak to through Livi will not be based at your local practice but will have access to your medical records and will update your notes after your consultation so that your local GP can see what has happened.

If you need a prescription, it can be delivered directly to your chosen pharmacy.

To access a Livi GP appointment by video you must:

  • download the Livi app onto your smartphone or tablet
  • sign up to Livi and select your normal GP practice from the list
  • book your appointment
  • when registering you will be asked to verify your identity including a photo of yourself. For a child aged over two years, a full birth certificate will need to be uploaded.

You can find out more information about Livi here.

Livi isn’t suitable for everyone. Some health issues, for example those requiring a physical examination or longer term regular monitoring, are better treated at your normal GP practice. In addition, they cannot treat children under two years of age. Their website tells you more about the symptoms they can help you with.

We at Healthwatch North Tyneside think that the new Livi system could really help some people get the care they need. Our recent research has shown that access to GPs can be difficult for people balancing a busy working and family life. These people told us that appointments being available earlier in the morning and later in evenings would be really helpful and many would be happy to use digital technology if appropriate to their needs. Having Livi available in North Tyneside, with 400 additional GP appointments becoming available, is one way of helping people get the care they need and extending access. You can find out more about our research into primary care access here.

Since the launch of Livi in August 2020, people have asked us the following questions:

Do I have to sign up to Livi if I don’t want to?

No – you only need to sign up to Livi if you think you will want to have a video call with a Livi GP.

Will my Livi appointment be with my usual GP?

No – Your Livi appointment will be with a UK GP (registered with the General Medical Council) who will have access to your medial records. If you want to speak to your usual GP you must contact your practice.

What’s the difference between Livi video calls and the eConsult system my GP uses?

eConsult is used by local practices to help people access their local GP practice online – you can ask them about your health symptoms, conditions or treatment by filling in a few questions online. You can also ask for a sick/fit note. The service is available through your practice’s website and is available 24 hours a day. Once you complete your online request, the surgery staff will review it and contact you about the next steps which could include a telephone or video call with someone from your practice.