Digital tools are increasingly being cited as a potential solution for the NHS to deal with the growing spread of coronavirus across the UK and the rest of the world.
Services such as NHS111 Online have seen a surge in people accessing a dedicated coronavirus service. GPs have also been advised to assess patients online or via telephone and video appointments to mitigate the potential spread of coronavirus.
In a letter to GPs last week, NHS England urged Britain’s 7,000 GP surgeries to reduce face-to-face appoints for patients displaying symptoms of Covid-19.
Digital Health News is asking readers whether they think the spread of COVID-19 will speed up digital adoption across the NHS.
You can vote below. Readers have until 12pm on 18 March to vote, with the results to be published shortly afterwards.
16 March 2020 @ 15:52
The acceleration of virtual care enabled by digital technologies could be a positive legacy of this very difficult situation for citizens and the NHS. We must not let it all fade away and revert to how we do things now when COVID-19 subsides. We should also work with community partners to support digital inclusion, particularly for the elderly as they move towards prolonged isolation and care from a range of different people. Being able to facetime / skype family and share their health record with the care that turns up that day will be vital to keeping them well in their homes.