Asked about the Royal College of GPs saying face-to-face appointments might never return to normal, the PM said: “Some people will be happy with other contact or reassurance, but a lot of people will need a face-to-face appointment and all the reassurance that gives. “I want to see GPs seeing the right people at the right time and the right place.”

       He added: “We are pledged to deliver another 50 million GP appointments.

       “People need the security and confidence that they will be treated in person by a GP who can have proper hands-on understanding.”

       His remarks in New York came as GPs sought more cash to return to face-to-face appointments.

       A recent report says more than 175,000 diagnoses of key conditions are estimated to have been missed last year.

       The drop may be due to patients not coming forward, but also the cut in face-to-face access, the Department of Health report said.

       The NHS said GP practices must offer all types of appointments.