Doctors in Britain are asking their patients to email their symptoms rather than making an appointment under a new scheme which aims to save the UK's National Health Service up to one billion pounds a year.

The results would be picked up by doctors at the end of the day or during free time between appointments; people suffering from conditions like heart failure, diabetes or lung disease could even be asked to measure their blood pressure and then send the results, the 'Daily Express' reported.

The proposals are part of a pilot trial of 6,000 patients with longterm illnesses in Cornwall, Kent and east London. All participants have been given electronic devices to record vital measurements to be sent to the surgery and the results will be published later in the year.

In the scheme, doctors would make an appointment for the patient to come into the surgery if they are concerned by the results.

In less serious cases, they will write back with advice. It is hoped the Department of Health proposals could save up to one billion pounds a year in appointments and hours of doctors' time.

But the proposal has worried leading doctors who say serious conditions could be missed.

Dr Laurence Buckman, the Chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee, said: "My worry is that the patient won't realise the severity of their disease and neither will the doctor as it won't have been conveyed in the message.

"People with a very serious chest infection might just think it's a cough. The safest method of dealing with patients is seeing them. People will get worse care. Most doctors are scared of email consultation."