Let's get digital
What is digital Inclusion?
This is a project we have piloted, where we help teach the public how to use online services for their Healthcare.
We ran 11 events between May and September where we to 175 people, including digital drop in sessions and coffee mornings.
Continuing to help people
We are delighted that Harbourside Family Practice in Portishead has asked us to help them with running some more digital awareness events in the autumn.
Healthwatch Conference
Our team gave a presentation (links to this below) about how we helped get people online at the Healthwatch 2019 Conference – and asked for their views on how to improve our project in the future.
Which online services can we help with?
AskMyGP is now used by a growing number of surgeries in Weston. Tudor Lodge surgery has created a very comprehensive guide on how to create an account which can be accessed on the following link Click here
Patient Access is used by several GP practices where you can order repeat prescriptions as well as check your medical history and make appointments.
NHS App provides a simple and secure way for people to access NHS services online
Did people find the sessions useful?
Once people had received the support to use digital services the response we received was very positive. Many people don’t know that you can now book appointments online at all GP websites.
NHS Digital Plans
NHS England launched their Long Term Plan in January 2019 pledging that everyone who wants one, will be able to have a digital GP appointment, saying
“We will ensure these technologies work for everyone, from the most digitally literate to the most technology averse, and reflect the needs of people trying to stay healthy as well as those with complex conditions.”
As part of the new GP contract, practices must make at least 25% of their appointments available for online booking by July 2019. This contract said digital access to GP services should increase for all patients, with the hope that this will help practices manage workloads and provide care more effectively.
Downloads
Download a copy of our presentation in PDF format below. If you require this to be provided in a different format please email us your request to contact@healthwatchnorthsomerset.co.uk
