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It is not possible to make a proper assessment of a patient without a physical examination. All that can be done over the phone is triage.

Medical triage in primary care is a sensible idea, but lets not get carried away. The claims being made here are excessive and all sorts of trends and changes are being attributed to a single intervention. (A&E demand curtailed, medical morale restored, DNAs down, waiting times down and so on). Other factors will be involved.

However the key failure of this analysis is the lack of appreciation of system regression. It is not that difficult to choreograph short term improvements, however these will fade as quickly as the morning mist.

A sensible idea, made unconvincing by exaggeration and hyperbole