Doctors could see up to 15 people at once, even for issues such as impotence.
Surgeries are trialling the scheme as a lack of GPs, and too many patients, leaves people facing waits of up to four weeks.
Emily Symington, a GP in Croydon, South London, told the Royal College of GPs conference in Glasgow yesterday: “It reduces demand and improves efficiency.
Patients also enjoy them.”
But Patient Concern’s Joyce Robins said: “This is a ghastly idea.
If you’re discussing things in front of strangers, you might as well tell the town crier so he can shout it from the rooftops.
“There’s a danger shy people will be unheard while the loud people will hog all the time.”
The sessions could be included in the NHS ten-year plan due later this year.
They are mostly offered to patients with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, asthma, and arthritis.
Each lasts from 45 minutes to two hours.
They are led by a receptionist or administrator with just one day’s training in giving health advice.
A GP is only present for some of the time so they can issue prescriptions and give additional advice.
In some cases, test results and patients’ weight and body mass index (BMI) are written on a white board for all to see.
All patients are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement promising not to discuss other people’s issues outside the room.
Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, from the RCGP, said: “There is no pressure on patients to take part if they prefer to continue seeing their GP one-to-one.”
Fertility App Rap
DOCTORS slammed their own conference for taking sponsorship from a fertility app linked to unwanted pregnancies.
Natural Cycles tracks periods to identify safe sex days but has been rapped in the UK for misleading advertising.
And medics warned it is not as reliable as the coil and pill.
Dr Heather Ryan told the Royal College of GPs conference in Glasgow: “I’m disappointed Natural Cycles is a sponsor.”
The firm said: “Natural Cycles has been cleared by regulators in Europe.”
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