Work around improving access to online health services shortlisted for national award
The National Healthwatch Impact Award recognises outstanding examples of where the views of local people have been used to make positive changes to local NHS and social care services.
Alongside Healthwatch Bristol and Healthwatch South Gloucestershire, our digital inclusion team focused on empowering individuals to make small steps towards changing how and when they interact with services. Topics covered included the NHS app, ordering prescriptions, viewing test results, booking GP appointments, and accessing online consultations.
In addition to supporting more than 1000 people, we taught staff in 14 GP practices and seven care homes how to support patients and residents to use online health resources. Community groups provided up to 50 volunteers during the project, who continue to support people's digital skills with ongoing sessions in their communities.
I feel that having the NHS online makes me more confident, stops me having to wait on the telephone for ages for a response from someone. I have found it very helpful.
A key part of our work to improve access to online health services was our digital how-to guide. The guide includes detailed instructions, step-by-step processes, and information on:
- accessing the NHS and Patient.info websites
- how to determine if health information is from a trusted source
- creating an NHS login and linking a profile on the NHS app/PatientAccess app to a GP practice
- navigating various GP online services based on user needs (booking appointments, ordering prescriptions, using eConsult/AccuRX and viewing medical records)
These resources have been provided to community groups, libraries, social prescribers, GP staff and pharmacists to support patients outside of a workshop. Workshop attendees often tell us they will be using the guide to help their friends and family. The guide is available in Chinese, and we've also created a recorded presentation for anyone would like a reminder of the information we shared or was unable to make it to a session.
Download our how to-guide in English or Chinese, or download our recorded presentation.
Commenting on the news, Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England, said:
"Over a million people a year either seek advice from Healthwatch or share their care experience. And, every year, there are thousands of examples of where this feedback has been used by services to make positive changes to health and care.
"Getting shortlisted for our national impact award is no mean feat. It means that your work has made a real difference for local communities, often amid ongoing challenges facing health and care services."
The winner of the award will be announced in March 2024.
