The NHS has launched a pilot scheme allowing doctors to provide care to UK patients from overseas, with GPs based in countries such as India, Malaysia, and Australia offering virtual consultations. The initiative is part of the health service’s 10-Year Plan, aimed at boosting clinical capacity and easing pressure on overworked UK surgeries.

Through the programme, patients can speak to doctors via video or phone while local GPs are freed up to focus on in-person appointments. The scheme is run in partnership with private company Asterix Health, which targets “ex-UK GPs” who might otherwise leave the profession, offering them the chance to continue practising without relocating.

One doctor, Dr Zilal Kamel, said the arrangement allowed her to provide care for UK patients from Kuala Lumpur while still being home for her family in the evenings, the Telegraph reported.

Currently, the pilot involves eight doctors supporting seven GP practices and around 250,000 patients. Their work mainly focuses on administrative and triage tasks, including reviewing lab results, managing correspondence, and conducting phone consultations.

Asterix maintains that the scheme is not intended to replace face-to-face care but to free up UK doctors’ time for in-person appointments.

However, the move has drawn criticism. Shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew described it as a potential “remote call-centre model,” raising concerns that doctors based thousands of miles away may lack the local knowledge needed for effective treatment.

Dennis Reed from Silver Voices warned that such remote care could compromise decision-making, as clinicians may not have the full context of a patient’s situation.

The British Medical Association also expressed concerns, with Dr Katie Bramall highlighting the large number of UK-based GPs actively seeking work, and arguing that face-to-face consultations remain essential for safe, effective care.

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Former health secretary Steve Barclay noted that while retired UK GPs working remotely could help retain expertise, relying on overseas doctors could pose risks if they are unfamiliar with local patient needs.

The pilot forms part of a wider NHS strategy to address workforce shortages, which has included recruiting 3,000 GPs in the past year and injecting £1.1 billion into primary care.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman emphasised that in-person appointments remain available for patients who need them, and that the pilot is not intended for nationwide rollout.

Julian Titz, Asterix’s chief executive, defended the scheme, saying it allows GPs to handle administrative tasks that consume nearly half of their time, freeing UK-based doctors for more direct patient care.

He described it as a practical solution to staffing pressures, designed to maintain quality care while supporting the NHS.