Thanks to a new NHS website, patients will now be able to book appointments with their doctors and GPs, as well order repeat prescriptions, online, as has been officially confirmed.

Funds worth a whopping 1.7 Million Pounds have been promised by Health Minister Edwina Hart for the service. Under the new set-up, patients will also be able to check their medical records online.

The portal, christened My Health Online will also offer advice on taking care of conditions, in addition to links to NHS Direct.

"The demand for online GP services is increasing and we recognize that providing accessible information is critical if we want to enable people to change their lifestyles and improve their health. The website will also help empower people to take responsibility for their own health through the completion of a health diary which can be shared with their GP", said Ms. Hart.

Although no confirmed start dates for the website have been offered, the Assembly Government did say that it could be available to patients by the end of the year.

The portal is still in its developmental stages, but work is progressing quickly.