GPonline has reported that the online provider, Babylon GP at Hand, plans to expand into Manchester early in 2020.  Naturally, practices in Manchester will be very concerned about this proposed extension of Babylon's services and the potential destabilising impact it could have.  Cherry-picking largely healthier and wealthier patients at the expense of the poor and vulnerable is not what the NHS is all about nor should it be supporting. Practices want to be able to offer a full range of services to their patients, including clinically appropriate digital services and video consultations, but they are dependent on CCGs and NHS England enabling this. There is therefore an urgent need to upgrade practice IT and this must be the priority, not focussing on alternative providers.

Patients registering in Manchester would be added initially to a single patient list for GP at Hand, but still held at the original 2 sites in Fulham and Hammersmith, which obviously is far from ideal for the north-west. A spokesman for Babylon said: "we hope to complete expansion during the current financial year, but 'mobilising safely' is the absolute first priority."

We are currently collating further details for you and as soon as we have confirmation of next steps, we will report back.