BBC News recently published an article: GPs should
urge patients to go online. The recommendations made by Baroness Martha Lane
Fox include every NHS building having access to free wi-fi. The aim is for GPs
to actively encourage patients to go online for booking appointments and
ordering repeat prescriptions, enabling the NHS to push forward with an IT
revolution.
Tim Kelsey, NHS England
national director for patients and information, said: "Digital health
tools can dramatically improve people's lives and well-being.”
E-learning is increasingly being used as an
alternative to standard medical prescriptions.
There is a wealth of evidence to show that early intervention is both effective and highly cost efficient.
There is a wealth of evidence to show that early intervention is both effective and highly cost efficient.
GPs can now prescribe
e-learning courses to patients and carers giving the learner the opportunity to
access training anywhere they have an internet connection. This flexibility to
gain self-help can provide early intervention for many common ailments and is
an effective way of enhancing the health and well-being, and
resilience of patients and carers.
Baroness Lane Fox said "One of the founding principles of the NHS was to
ensure that everyone - irrespective of means, age, sex, or occupation - should
have equal opportunity to benefit from the best and most up-to-date medical and
allied services available." In rural areas, there is limited access to the
internet, but if NHS buildings were to implement the free wi-fi for all,
patients could still benefit from e-learning within the buildings. If required,
courses can also be downloaded so they can be accessed without an internet
connection.
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