Internet users save NHS £44 M annually

The just Google it generation are saving the NHS millions of pounds a year, but don’t hope for any tax rebates.

According to a study by Imperial College, a third of people visiting the nhs.uk website did not book an appointment with their GP, with 70 per cent self-diagnosing on the internet.

The NHS website reports 100 million hits in the last year with a ten per cent increase in 2010 compared to 2009.

With an average of 200,000 visits a day to NHS Choices, it is estimated the NHS makes a saving of £44 million annually.

Bristol GP Knut Schroeder said: “The internet is a great resource for health-related information as long as people can use sources they can trust and rely on. Indeed, many of my patients now use websites such as NHS Choices to look up health related information, such as symptoms or medical conditions. As a result, they are often better informed and are in a better position to use health services more appropriately.”