AN ONLINE doctor service has committed to giving away 20 per cent of its online appointments to support vulnerable people in the Midlands who want advice about Covid 19 but may struggle to access it.

Uk wide service Vala Health, has made the commitment to offering free appointments to vulnerable people in the Midlands, in a bid to support the NHS and provide advice to people in the region which is seeing the highest number of cases outside London.

Pete Trainor, Vala Health CEO explains:

"Vala Health is immediately committing 20% of our appointment slots to support communities, families and vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We will also refocus our efforts and develop significant outreach programmes to help communities, including those most in need. We believe this commitment will enable both immediate and longer-term support during the crisis.”

UK-wide service Vala Health which provides advice from healthcare professionals online and over the phone, is making the commitment in order to support ‘average’ people who go through Covid 19 at home and may not be able to reach the support they need as they don’t want to bother or cannot reach the NHS and do not realise how affordable private options can be.

Vala’s doctors have been busy speaking to a wide range of people over the last few weeks and one of the recurring themes seems to be around the very wide range of symptoms, what people can do to care themselves at home and at what stage people should be seeking medical attention.

Pete explains:

“As we have seen from Boris Johnson, even a mild case of Covid 19 can linger and it is possible a person may need some medical support or advice.

“Lots of vulnerable people are worried about exactly what is going on with them, but they don’t want to add pressure to or are struggling to access the NHS which is why we have made this commitment.”

In order to get access to advice, people need to register online, which is free but they can then choose to have an appointment just over the phone if they do have a computer or a smart phone or they have problems using technology.

Pete said:

“You do need to register first, but this is something people can do for an older or vulnerable person – and when they do so they just include the patients phone number for the appointment – which can be a landline.

Vala Health is not setting any specific criteria for who qualifies for these free appointments but as a business, which keeps its charges reasonable and has staff and other costs to meet – it is asking people to do the decent thing."

Pete said:

“If you want or use us can afford to do so for as little as £15.99 then please do not ask for a free appointment, but if money is an issue for you or someone you are supporting them please do come forward as we don’t want money to be a barrier to vulnerable people.”

To register and book an appointment for yourself or someone else, with their permission, please visit www.valahealth.com