In March, the CQC announced a "programme of inspections" into "digital healthcare providers" in the UK, which it said would "prioritise those services it considers as potentially presenting a significant risk to patients".

Ten inspection reports have already been published – the latest being Pharmacy2U on June 29 – with all 39 inspections expected to be completed by autumn, the CQC confirmed to C+D last Friday (July 7).

See a list of the 39 registered providers being investigated by the CQC below.

Boots confirmed to C+D this morning (July 10) that its online services were inspected "a few weeks ago" and it expects to receive the report "in approximately six weeks".

According to the CQC's website, Boots' digital offerings include an online prescription service, and provision of patient group directions (PGDs) to pharmacies across the country. Boots' consultation and treatment services, as well as its remote clinical advice service – which all use doctors – have been subject to a previous CQC inspection in 2014.

Ruth Rankine, CQC deputy chief inspector of general practice, said she would “strongly urge” anyone who wants to use a service from these providers to read the CQC’s “detailed” inspection reports “to help them make an informed decision”.

“CQC works closely with the General Pharmaceutical Council; together with the General Medical Council and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the four regulators are committed to shar[ing] information when necessary,” she added.