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Press Contact Tel: 0844 415 0532 info@talktoadoctor.co.uk Talk to a Doctor.co.uk in the press: Metro September 2007 Why are we bypassing our doctors and risking our health? Dr Doniert Macfarlane is managing director of Talk to a Doctor.co.uk, a service that gives people the chance to talk to a fully qualified doctor over the phone. 'The internet has empowered people,' he says. 'We have information available to us that was once in huge tomes for doctors only. When people can't access their GP, they take matters into their own hands. Of course, some practices have excellent out of hours services, but many people have a hard time getting to their doctor if they work full-time.' The Times August 2007 ...With one online service, Talk to a Doctor.co.uk, I found myself discussing my "symptoms" via e-mail with a real doctor after paying £19.95 for answers to three questions on a single subject... When I spoke to Talk to a Doctor.co.uk's Managing Director, Dr Doniert Macfarlane, he said "we are very much there as a support service," he said. "Often people have been given a diagnosis or sent for tests, and there hasn't been enough time within a conventional consultation to talk about the wider implications." Radio 4 Interview May 2007 You and Yours 3 May 2007  Telegraph Magazine April 2007 'Talk to a Doctor.co.uk allows users to interact directly with the medical experts on the site. The user can choose a GMC registered specialist in the field relevant to their question, and then speak directly or hold an e-mail consultation with the relevant medic. There are no receptionists, nurses or secretaries to negotiate. Dr. Doniert Macfarlane, of Talk to a Doctor, says, 'Essentially we specialise in non-urgent medical advice for pre-diagnosed patients. But we see prescriptions as a risky area. There is a risk of allergies and interactions with other medicines.' The service does not extend to diagnoses, but experts can provide information about countless conditions.' British Journal of Hospital Medicine January 2007 "Clearly those services offered by TalktoaDoctor can do much to meet the first requirement of 'fast access' to advice. They provide a service that connects callers direct to a doctor at a time that suits them, bypassing the need to make an appointment, and give the patient far greater flexibility in engaging with their healthcare at a time that is convenient for them. Similarly, telemedicine appears to have the potential to deliver emotional support, empathy and respect." Doctor November 2006 "The Talk to a Doctor.co.uk service launched last week by medical company Stadn, will not give patients a diagnosis or prognosis, but just friendly advice." E-Health Insider November 2006 Talk to a Doctor.co.uk was aimed at a wide range of people, such as those who are too busy to take time off work to make an appointment. "It's aimed at chronic condition governance, as well as people who are embarrassed or don't have the time to speak to a doctor about non-urgent medical issues. There are a lot of men in particular who are embarrassed to go to a doctor." WomanandHome February 2007 If you urgently need to talk to a doctor but are unable to get an appointment at your local surgery, you can have a 20-minute phone consultation for £29.95 at Talk to a Doctor.co.uk. All doctors are fully qualified, GMC registered and UK based. 0906-1221225; www.TalktoaDoctor.co.uk. The doctors at Talk to a Doctor.co.uk have been sought out as experts for articles in the press. These include: Woman's Own December 2006 Advice on how to prevent chilblains over the winter months.
Talk to a Counsellor.co.uk in the press:
Bella May 2007 'I found help on the phone' Caitlyn Grase saw an ad for Talk to a Counsellor.co.uk and decided to give it a go. 'I felt low because I was missing my boyfriend who has to travel a lot,' says 24-year-old Caitlyn, from Battersea, London. 'I wanted advice but didn't like the idea of seeing someone in person. The telephone service seemed right for me because I could test what was on offer without committing myself. I was pleased with the counsellor's response. She quickly picked up on my problem and suggested ways I could think more positively about my situation. It certainly helped me.' Marie Claire January 2007 "Need the support of a counsellor but don't want to go on a waiting list or finding it hard to fit appointments around work? Talk to a Counsellor.co.uk has introduced a new service where you can call up a professional immediately, as often as you like." The counsellors at Talk to a Counsellor.co.uk have been sought out as experts for many articles in the press. These include: Advice on how to come to terms with not having any knowledge of your father The Guardian January 2007 "A psychodynamic counsellor said many of whose clients lack knowledge about their father, says it's common for such people to feel unsettled and ill at ease with themselves, often for their entire lives. It all comes down to an unfulfilled sense of identity, she explains. "Our identities are multifaceted and are made up of ethnic identity, social identity, sexual identity and cultural identity, just to name a few. Not having a father can impact on every one of these things,"" Advice on how to cope with stress over Christmas and New Year Daily Star December 2006 "Talk to a Counsellor.co.uk, who carried out the research, said: "It's important to recognise the signs of stress and to keep in the back of your mind a few techniques that can help. Give yourself spending limits, try not to leave everything to the last minute and try to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises. If you feel your stress levels rising, remove yourself from the stressful situation and go for a walk or take some quiet time just for yourself." Advice on neophobic adults, anorexia and fussy eaters London Metro January 2007 "Eating and emotions are bonded together tightly. Choosing certain foods can give you the illusion of control. Putting a food you don't like into your mouth can be terrifying." Advice on eating disorders and restoring self image following a break up Wellbeing Network December 2006 & January 2007 Think about the messages you received about yourself as you grew up. Are they unnecessarily negative? If so, start to let them go. Talking to a counsellor may help if they feel very entrenched. Local Press Coverage Advice on how to cope with stress over Christmas and New Year Peterborough Evening Telegraph December 2006 The research, released by Talk to a Counsellor.co.uk, revealed that just under 2.3 million Londoners find the celebration causes them high levels of stress. Advice on how to cope with stress over Christmas and New Year Southport Reporter December 2006 Talk to a Counsellor.co.uk, said: "Our research shows that Christmas can be extremely stressful for millions of adults across the UK and it is important to recognise how stress can affect us. Advice on how to cope with stress over Christmas and New Year Sheffield Reporter December 2006 Talk to a Counsellor.co.uk said: "Give yourself spending limits, try not to leave everything to the last minute and try to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises."
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