1. Easier to contact your GP practice. Get help from your GP practice without having to wait in a telephone queue to speak to a receptionist.
2. Quicker response. You will usually get a response from a GP more quickly than waiting for an appointment.
3. More convenient. Speak to a GP, get health advice, fit notes, medication, video consultations and more, without leaving your house.
4. Easy to use. You only need to answer a few questions to get help from your GP practice.
5. Explain your problem more fully and without time pressure. Take time to write about your problem. Review and edit your answers before sending them to your GP practice. Keep a written record to refer back to in future.
6. Benefits for vulnerable patients. Carers can use Patchs on behalf of patients who can't use Patchs for themselves.

Benefits for your GP practice

1. A quicker way of working. Your GP practice can see at a glance what help you need because it's written down.
2. Fewer phone calls. When you use Patchs it means you don't need to use the telephone to call your GP practice. This frees up GP practice staff to do other important work.

Benefits for other patients

1. Patients who need urgent help get it sooner. Your GP practice can see at a glance what help you need because it's written down. This means they can quickly work out which patients with medical emergencies need help first. 
2. Patients who need to telephone the practice can get through more easily. When you use Patchs it means you free up the phone line for patients that can't use Patchs, for example those with physical disabilities.