NHS Choices, the health information website, has partnered with UK online centres to help people without IT access or web surfing skills to view online health information.
More than 300 UK online centres will form a network of NHS Choices Community Champions, led by a flagship centre in each region.
Over the next 12 months, the partnership aims to reach more than 150,000 people, and drive both understanding and use of the www.nhs.uk website.
Managing director of UK online centres, Helen Milner, said: "More than a third of adults in this country still aren’t using computers and the internet, and increasingly that means they’re excluded from the enormous amount of public information available to the rest of us at the click of a mouse.”
Milner added many of those not using computers were already at a social or financial disadvantage, and “arguably those in most need of public information or services”.
She said: "This is the first time a public website has sought to use the UK online centres network to help it reach a wider, potentially off-line audience, and I hope we’ll be able to establish a model other government departments might adopt in the future. Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to seeing the initiative help NHS Choices find new users, and new users find out more about health, fitness and the NHS services available to them."
Beverley Bryant, programme director of NHS Choices, said of the partnership; "By linking up with UK online centres, NHS Choices will have access to over 150,000 users who otherwise would not have access to the site – helping to bridge the inequality gap and improve the health of those who need it the most".
Bryant said NHS Choices is intended to become users’ personal health manager; containing personalised health guidance and information on over 700 conditions and treatments, directories of local services and lifestyle tips. “It will also become their social network for health, connecting people with similar interests, whilst encouraging the exchange of healthcare experiences.”
UK online centres are intended to provide access to technology and support in using it, to those who either don’t yet have access to technology or possess the requisite skills. The centres offer free or low cost access to the internet and email, deliver online courses and encourage people to progress onto further learning. UK online centres are managed by Ufi, the organisation behind learndirect.