A new survey has revealed more than half of NHS consultants have expressed an interest in joining the health service's upcoming virtual hospital, with far more doctors keen to participate than will actually be required to operate the service.
The poll of 303 senior medical professionals, conducted by NHS England, found flexible working arrangements proved the primary draw for six in ten.
Some 86 per cent of interested doctors cited the appeal of remote working as their motivation, with many highlighting the "ability to work from home, avoid commuting and manage family commitments."
Nearly half of those surveyed indicated they would commit at least four hours weekly to the online service, supplementing their existing hospital duties.
NHS Online is set to welcome its first patients next year, with ambitions to deliver up to 8.5 million virtual appointments and assessments during its initial three-year period.
This target represents four times the output of a typical NHS trust.
The service will initially address 11 common health conditions, ranging from menopause and endometriosis to inflammatory bowel disease, anaemia, prostate enlargement and glaucoma.
The list of treatable conditions has recently been expanded to include recurring urinary tract infections and suspected polycystic ovaries.
A new survey has revealed half of consultants have expressed an interest in joining the health service's upcoming virtual hospital
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Sir Keir Starmer first unveiled plans for the virtual hospital in September, positioning it as a key tool for tackling NHS waiting lists that currently stand at a whopping seven million.
The scheme also aims to eliminate geographical disparities in care by connecting patients with leading specialists regardless of location.
Patients will access NHS Online through referrals from their general practitioners, though they retain the option of traditional face-to-face consultations should they prefer.
The virtual service operates without a physical site, instead connecting patients with specialists across England directly through the NHS App.
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The NHS waiting lists currently stands at a whopping seven million under Health Secretary Wes Streeting
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Physical examinations, scans and procedures will continue to take place at healthcare facilities near patients' homes, while clinicians review results and conduct consultations remotely via video or telephone.
This approach allows doctors to assess patient notes outside standard office hours without requiring the individual to be present.
The streamlined process enables swifter progression from initial referral through to treatment and subsequent follow-up care.
As uptake of the online service grows, in-person appointment slots should become more readily available for those who need them, potentially reducing overall waiting times.
Professor Stella Vig, NHS England's national clinical director for elective care, described the survey findings as encouraging, saying: "It's fantastic to see that consultants and specialist doctors are hugely supportive of the NHS's new online hospital, with nearly two-thirds willing to offer their time for this revolutionary service alongside their current roles."
She added the expanded list of conditions means "even more patients will be able to benefit when the service launches next year".
Health Minister Zubir Ahmed emphasised the urgency of modernising care delivery: "Patients shouldn't have to wait months or travel miles to get the care they need."
He described the initiative as "using the power of tech to get people diagnosed, treated and back living their lives faster", while maintaining traditional appointments for those who require them.
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