Fifers urged to have their say on NHS video consultations

Fifers are being asked for their views on how health and care services might be delivered remotely in the future.

The use of video consultations by health care professionals in Scotland has increased massively during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Before March there were around 300 video consultations using the Near Me system.

By June there were almost 17,000 every week, with around 150,000 in total.

In Fife, the numbers increased in this period from four to 1048, with 8012 in total.

Now those behind the video consultation system want to find out what people think about how the system might be improved.

The Scottish Government’s vision is that all health and care consultations are provided by Near Me whenever it is appropriate – and it is seeking views on that vision.

The team is looking for feedback through a survey which can be completed online, as well as having an option to give feedback by email or phone.

Dr Chris McKenna, NHS Fife’s medical director, said: “Near Me video consulting is proving to be vital for those who deliver and receive health and social care during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Near Me is now being extensively used across Fife and has enabled multi-professional services to provide real-time face-to-face consultations with patients.

“The software has also played a vital part in helping to reduce the transmission rates of Covid-19 by limiting the number of people having to physically attend health and social care premises, while still being able to participate in safe and effective clinical consultation in their own homes.

“As part of our re-mobilisation planning of services Near Me will continue to play a key role as we transform services to meet the needs of the people of Fife as we move through the easing of lockdown measures; mindful of the ongoing social distancing measures.

“I would urge people to check out the Near Me vision and give their feedback on it.”

Near Me, which was developed and tested in Scotland in 2018 and 2019, was initially used mainly in the Highlands, where distances can be an issue.

However, it has come into its own during the pandemic and is being increasingly used in hospitals, GP and community services throughout the country.

People offered a Near Me video consultation at home need to have a device for making a video call, such as a smartphone, tablet or computer with webcam, and a reliable internet connection. To use the system patients are given a link to a Near Me clinic and can start their video call from this link.

Clare Morrison, who co-leads the national Near Me programme, said: “Throughout the country health and care providers, as well as patients, have been embracing the use of Near Me in recent months and this experience has made many people realise its true potential, hence our vision.

“However, as we plan ahead we want to understand what the general public think about Near Me and its future use, and we hope our survey will allow us to do that.”

The Near Me public engagement exercise is running until July 24 and the survey can be found at www.nearme.scot/views