Innovative technology that will allow patients in Lanarkshire to have virtual consultations with their General Practice is being rapidly scaled up.
The fast-track roll-out to every GP surgery in Lanarkshire is currently entering an advanced stage and is part of robust planning and preparations for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The technology, called NHS Lanarkshire Near Me (powered by Attend Anywhere), allows health and care providers to offer secure video call access to their services as part of their day-to-day work.
Instead of travelling to their appointment, patients or service users enter an online waiting area from their computer, smartphone or tablet. The service is notified when they arrive, and a health or care provider joins the virtual consultation.
Patients may now be offered this type of virtual appointment, where appropriate. Your clinician will give you a website address and clear instructions on how to access the Near Me video clinic. Clinicians will also will give you an appointment date and time when you should start your video call. You do not need to download an App or create an account. The service is for patients with pre-arranged appointment times only.
A similar exercise is also underway to scale up NHS Lanarkshire Near Me in hospital settings and community teams as part of the wider planning and preparations for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Morag Hearty, NHS Lanarkshire Technology Enabled Care (TEC) programme manager, said: “This technology will have a crucial role to play in the current situation by helping GPs and other health and care staff deal with Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases via video consultation, where appropriate.
“NHS Lanarkshire Near Me can be used to reduce exposure to coronavirus by enabling both patients and clinicians to consult while in isolation.
“It can also increase organisational resilience by protecting the workforce and enabling support to be provided from different geographical locations.”
Ms Hearty added: “The technology will also be used to alleviate pressure on health and social care system by increasing the capability of GP and other health and care professionals to offer secure video call access to their services for other health and care issues, outwith Coronavirus (COVID-19), as appropriate.”
Linda Findlay, medical director of South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The accelerated scale up of our NHS Lanarkshire Near Me provision is a key feature of our robust planning and preparations for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
“Technology like this can support people to manage their health and well-being both safely and conveniently whilst at the same time reducing pressure on the health and care system.”
Background
Find out more about Near Me at https://www.nearme.scot/
If you or anyone in your household has a high temperature or a new and continuous cough – even if its mild everyone in your household must stay at home for 14 days and keep away from others. Do not go to your GP, hospital or pharmacy. Go to www.nhsinform.scot to check your symptoms and follow the specialist medical advice.
Only call NHS 24 (111) if you can’t get online or your symptoms worsen. Protect older people and those with existing health conditions by avoiding contact.
The latest numbers of test results are published at 2pm each day on the Scottish Government website.
For the latest health and travel advice, see NHS Inform’s coronavirus page. A free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice: 0800 028 2816
