A Virgin Media Business poll has discovered that the UK public expects technology to transform the way it accesses vital healthcare services by 2020. The ‘Healthcare of the Future’ study of 2,172 people conducted online by YouGov revealed that 29 per cent of the population believe they’ll be able to access their GP via webcam in ten years time. It also found that 11 per cent of adults are also expecting to be able to interact with a doctor by simply pushing the interactive red button on their TV.

Virgin Media Business commissioned the online YouGov poll to measure how multichannel customer service now typical in the private sector had affected public expectations of NHS services. Its results showed that British people were especially happy with the quality of help and advice provided by remote services.

The overriding message from the study, however, was that 77 per cent of the general public would like to be able to book an appointment with their main healthcare provider via multiple communications channels. And whilst 43 per cent of respondents would most like to call for remote healthcare services, 34 per cent of the UK adults surveyed online said they would prefer the ability to do this online.

The desire to access remote healthcare information over the internet was greatest among young people, favoured by 48 per cent of 18-24 year olds and 47 per cent of 25-34 year olds. Conversely, older respondents would most like to do this on the phone, which was chosen by 53 per cent of people over the age of 55. When asked how they expected to be able to get in touch with their doctors in 2020, however, the age barriers disappeared. In fact slightly more over 55 year olds expected to see their GP via webcam (29 per cent) than 18-24 year olds (27 per cent), while web cam and red button appointments were most excepted among 35-44 year olds (33 and 16 per cent respectively).

The study also discovered that a large part of the UK believes the NHS could improve its services by looking at how commercial organisations have transformed the way they communicate with customers. When asked to compare the standard of communication channels offered by the NHS to those provided by their bank, supermarket or utility company, 39 per cent of respondents preferred those on offer from the private sector.

Commenting on the research, Virgin Media Business’s public sector director, Lee Hull, said: “It’s no surprise that today’s time-strapped people have welcomed multichannel customer service with open arms. Some companies in the private sector have long realised that it can make its services feel more tailored and personal by enabling customers to get in touch when and how they want. The NHS has already made huge progress, and developments in technology mean there are now more ways than ever for people to get the medical advice they need.”

Virgin Media Business already works extensively with NHS bodies, and has taken a leading role in helping health authorities to improve their communications and drive down costs by implementing shared network infrastructure. Its customers include healthcare trusts in Lancashire, North Somerset, Gloucestershire and London’s first polyclinic at Redbridge.

Lee Hull concluded: “As more NHS bodies start making greater use of shared networks, there’s every reason to believe that the way people get medical help and advice will change beyond recognition in a few short years. High speed communications delivered over fibre optic networks will mean that developments the public is keen to see, such as seeing their GP via webcam are not only possible, but affordable too.”

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About the research

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2172 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th - 16th August 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

About Virgin Media Business

Virgin Media Business is the UK’s only telco with a nationwide fibre optic Next Generation Network. Launched in February 2010, the company aims to bring the Virgin philosophy to the business telecoms market. Providing innovative, high quality solutions built on brilliant customer service.

Virgin Media Business is the largest business-to-business brand in the Virgin group. With a strong product portfolio that includes its market leading Ethernet services. It uses its network asset in order to create bespoke tailored telecoms solutions for its customers. Employees are located at 40 offices across the UK, allowing Virgin Media Business to be closer to its customers in every sense. 

Previously known as ntl:Telewest Business, organisations working with Virgin Media Business include London City Airport, Arqiva, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership and South West Water.

About Virgin Media

With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.
The company is one of the largest residential broadband providers in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.

Virgin Media has the UK’s most advanced TV on demand service and is the only TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.

The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world’s first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.
Virgin Media also owns Virgin Media Television (VMtv) which runs seven entertainment channels, including Virgin1, LIVING, Bravo and Challenge. VMtv is a 50 per cent joint partner with BBC Worldwide in UKTV, which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi.

With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED) and the London Stock Exchange (VMED).
For more information, go to http://www.virginmedia.com/