Sharing medical appointments with others.

In my opinion it would be much better to put patients in touch with support groups, either face-to-face or online, for their particular ailments. When I collapsed with ME back in 1989 and no one knew anything about it, I found details of the ME Association in the back of a book on ME that a friend gave me, who in turn put me in touch with a local support group. It saved me, no other way to put it! We all helped each other, and instead of feeling a freak with a weird freak illness, I could share with others who understood.

Not sure I would be happy with this.
The report I read said it would be run by nurses and administrative staff.
I know people who work for surgeries, I would not be happy with any of them sitting in to a group meeting I would be attending.

The report went to great lengths to assure everyone that they would all be bound by an agreement not discuss anything said in a session, outside of the group. But I'm not sure that that would be enough for me. I don't think I'd be 100% at ease discussing my health issues in front of, and with, people that could potentially breach that trust. I'd find it deeply upsetting to be the subject of gossip and tittle tattle in our small community.

I can see how it would work for certain conditions where it was a way of passing on general information I,e like diabetes but certainly not for mental health unless it was something like group therapy.

I think they could have some merit.
Threads which are started here almost always have a good response, with helpful suggestions.

For me a definite no for mental health problems , who would open up in a group

These groups are instead of individual GP appointments, with a nurse present to do all the tests and the doctor there part of the time to answer any questions anyone has, with an element of mutual help discussions included.

A bit cynical MOnica but yes I could see that happening. I do think it helps with chronic physical and mental health problems to have a support group to talk things through with. It may reduce time spent with a GP but shouldn't be a replacement.