Vitality GP Offers Home or Work Blood Testing
Vitality GP – the health insurer’s video GP service – has added a home diagnostics pathway for members, providing quick access to pathology testing (blood tests), delivered by qualified nurses in members’ homes or designated work addresses. The launch follows a successful pilot of the pathway, during which approximately 70% of all members requiring such tests opted for home diagnostics.
The home diagnostic test, now live and available to all members referred for pathology through a Vitality Video GP consultation, is included within members’ annual prescription and diagnostics allowance: available to all members as part of Vitality’s primary care cover. This is billed directly to Vitality , meaning that members do not have to pay a fee at any point of the process.
The home diagnostics pathway service is provided by Square Health. During a Video GP consultation, patients referred for pathology tests can either opt for home diagnostics or to attend one of Vitality’s hospital partners. Patients who opt for the home diagnostics pathway will be contacted by Square Health to book an appointment.
Members’ results are communicated to them quickly, along with a recommended course of action as follows:
- Results of no concern – members are prompted via SMS to book a follow-up consultation, even if their test results have no causes for concern.
- Onward specialist referral required – GPs can arrange an onward referral through Vitality’s consultant panel, where eligible
- Clinical red flag – if results indicate a cause for concern, a Vitality GP will contact the member directly by phone to discuss their results with them, and recommend next steps.
“We launched Vitality GP to make it easier for our members to get quicker access to the diagnostics and treatment they need. Available to all members as part of Core Cover, usage of the app continues to grow, with over 30,000 consultations being delivered to members over the last year. The Home Diagnostics Pathway represents a further valuable addition to the range of existing services included in Vitality GP, a key part of our PMI proposition. Vitality GP helps our members navigate the healthcare system and we are committed to ongoing innovation in this space, providing the most convenient and highest quality primary care in the UK.” – Deputy CEO at VitalityHealth, Keith Klintworth.
Home Diagnostics Pathway is the latest addition to Vitality GP and sits alongside other services including: fast access to appointments within 48 hours; 20 minute Video GP consultations; the option for members to book face-to-face consultations via the app; pre-authorized onward referrals for further treatment where needed; and integration with an individual’s Vitality wellness data, allowing GPs to make lifestyle recommendations.
