PATIENTS across Barnsley will soon be able to have appointments via Skype or Facetime with their GP as part of a major expansion of services.

The government has granted £2.5 million to Barnsley GP practices which could allow patients to be offered online booking, email consultations, video conferencing (FaceTime appointments), telephone assessments and follow ups.

Dr Ajay Mistry, a GP at Chapelfield Medical Centre in Wombwell, said: "Patients have been telling us that they want to be able to see a healthcare professional more easily, they want care that wraps around their needs and they want to have a choice of how they interact with their doctor and other health professionals. This is exactly what our plans will offer."

** The full story is in the Barnsley Chronicle newpaper, dated April 3. **