Have your say on video appointments with health service

Monklands patients are being asked for their views on the increased use of video consultations and technology by NHS Lanarkshire.

It comes after the number of video appointments using the Near Me system increased from just 22 every seven days before March to a figure of 1929 per week during the pandemic – with more than 17,000 appointments now having taken place in that way in the past three months.

A public consultation exercise is now underway, running until next Friday, July 24, asking for people’s views on future remote delivery of health services and the Scottish Government vision to provide consultations online whenever appropriate.

Morag Hearty, who is NHS Lanarkshire’s technology-enabled care programme manager, said: “Near Me enabled us to safely, securely and efficiently continue with service delivery during the pandemic and made an allimportant contribution to reducing the risk of the infection spreading.

“Patients have spanned the generations, from first-time mums and their newborns, and younger adults living with mental health conditions, to 90-something care home residents.”

She spoke of the “accelerated scale-up” of the system’s use and said: “Prior to Covid- 19, we had long recognised that technology like this can support people to manage their health and wellbeing safely and conveniently, while reducing pressure on the health and care system.

“As we recover and plan for the future, Near Me will have a vitally important part to play and it’s equally important that residents have their say. I’d strongly encourage people to participate in the Near Me survey

– we’ll be able to draw down local views, which will further enable and inform us how we best serve the people of Lanarkshire in the weeks, months and years ahead.”

Consultations take place on any internet device, with patients being sent a link to join their clinician for their video call.

The survey asks questions including whether people are comfortable with the idea of using more video consulting for healthcare appointments, if there are barriers to their use of the Near Me technology, and if they have been using video technology to stay socially connected with friends and family.

It can be completed at www. nearme.scot/views, and participants also have the option to give their feedback by email or phone.

Increased demand More than 17,000 appointments using the Near Me system have taken place during the past three months