Virtual consultations with doctors could be more common than seeing medics in person within a decade, the man leading a review of NHS technology has said.

Genetist Dr Eric Topol has been commissioned by the Health Secretary to examine the NHS approach to genomics, robotics and artifical intelligence.

And he said remote monitoring of conditions, online consultations and telemedicine is set to become the norm within a decade - predicting they will soon outnumber face-to-face consultations.

The US medic said the use of artificial intelligence could mean fewer doctors are needed in some areas.

“Over the next decade we expect to see more and more remote monitoring of conditions and more virtual consultationsm,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the numbers overtake the number of physical visits within a decade.”