When You Need a Face to Face GP Appointment

Name: When You Need a Face to Face GP Appointment
Creator: Dr Zamiel Hussain

Many health concerns can be safely assessed by a remote GP consultation. However, some symptoms and situations require a face to face medical assessment to ensure patient safety.

This page explains when in person assessment is usually needed, why remote care has limits, and what a GP will advise if face to face examination is required.

These articles are intended as educational sources, not diagnostic nor taking place of a proper medical assessment. If you need help, please book an appointment with one of our GP’s.

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Why some symptoms need face to face assessment

Remote GP consultations rely on history taking, observation, and clinical judgement. In some cases, physical examination, observations, or urgent tests are needed to assess risk or severity.

A face to face GP appointment may be recommended when:

examination findings are needed to make a safe decision
symptoms suggest a potentially serious condition
vital signs or physical tests are required
procedures or urgent investigations are needed

Recognising these situations early is an important part of safe medical care.

Symptoms that often require face to face assessment

A GP may advise in person assessment if you have symptoms such as:

chest pain, pressure, or tightness
shortness of breath or breathing difficulty
severe or worsening abdominal pain
new neurological symptoms such as weakness, confusion, or loss of coordination
high fever with systemic symptoms
unexplained weight loss with concerning features
significant swelling, redness, or suspected infection
new lumps, persistent bleeding, or concerning skin changes
acute injuries requiring examination

This list is not exhaustive. A GP will assess symptoms in context.

Red flag symptoms that need urgent care

Some symptoms require urgent assessment and are not suitable for remote GP care.

Seek immediate medical help if you experience:

sudden chest pain or collapse
signs of stroke such as facial droop, arm weakness, or speech difficulty
severe breathing difficulty
loss of consciousness
uncontrolled bleeding
severe allergic reactions
acute confusion or severe agitation

If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 999 immediately.

Why examination matters in some cases

Physical examination allows a clinician to:

assess tenderness, swelling, or masses
check heart, lung, or abdominal findings
assess neurological function
measure vital signs such as blood pressure and oxygen levels
perform focused tests that guide diagnosis

Without examination, it may not be safe to rule out serious causes of symptoms.

What happens if remote assessment is not appropriate?

AccessGP provides remote GP consultations only. If a GP determines that face to face assessment is required:

the reason will be explained clearly
you will be advised on the most appropriate next step
this may include attending your NHS GP, an urgent treatment centre, or emergency services depending on urgency
clear safety netting will be provided

This ensures transparency and patient safety.