“Endorsements” of private companies

Posted on June 22nd, 2020

The Local Card on Twitter have kindly brought to our attention a maildrop by the online provider Livi suggesting that “many GP practices in this area have partnered with Livi”. This is not true – no GP surgery in Richmond has done so, and we haven’t. However, in common with everyone else in Richmond, we do offer video consultations where they’re needed using a tool AccuRx, so we can do everything Livi is trying to sell you here already!

Please continue to be wary when leaflets claim that we, or the NHS locally, has endorsed a particular product, service, or private company. This is almost invariably a marketing activity, and one which is in this case outright dishonest. The companies who are most willing to work with us and with patients to deliver a service don’t tend to spend money bragging about it – this is the case with AccuRx, which we’ve mentioned above, and with our local pharmacies, who have been working tirelessly to support our patients, particularly those shielding, with medicines deliveries through the pandemic.

On that note, we don’t endorse – or particularly like! – “pharmacy2u” either, and would encourage our patients to support local pharmacies by registering with them – they are local businesses which need your support!

Many thanks to @The_Local_Card for bringing this to our attention, and to everyone who chipped in to the thread.

@LBRUT @LBRuT_Help @nhsrichmond_ @NHSEnglandLDN @nick_grundy Is this company officially endorsed by you & our #local GP practices? Sounds great but clarity be helpful!! Their paperwork logo and App logo don’t even match 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OYirrApvWY

— TLC – The Local Card (@The_Local_Card) June 22, 2020