We worked in close partnership with NHS Charities Together to deliver increased knowledge, skills and confidence in using online hospital video consultation software such as ‘Attend Anywhere’ to the residents of Devon between October 2021 and October 2023. This was achieved by running the following activities:
- In person drop-in sessions at the 4 general hospitals across Devon (Plymouth Derriford Hospital, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Torbay General Hospital and North Devon Hospital)
- In person drop in sessions at community hospitals throughout the region
- Weekly digital drop in sessions via Zoom
- Producing dedicated online content such as YouTube videos and online e-learning resources
- Daily live chat sessions through our website
- Extensive marketing campaign
The COVID-19 outbreak was a difficult time for us all, including local health, care, and wellbeing services such as hospitals and GPs. These services had to adapt and rely on a ‘digital’ way for the public to use their service. This enabled them to be more effective and efficient but did not allow the public to be able to keep up with those changes. We know given the NHS Long Term Plan that Digital and online Access to services is here to stay.
This project offered free online training, advice and support to anyone interested in knowing more about how to access local health, social care and wellbeing services using the internet.
In August 2020 our volunteers began offering remote support to people from their own homes in line with governmental coronavirus restrictions. This included 1-to-1 advice and guidance via email or webchat and also regular ‘virtual’ drop-in sessions using online video webinar tool Zoom, where volunteers give a brief demonstration of the Digital Health Devon website and answer any queries raised by attendees.
With this project we were able to continue to offer this award-winning* service to the local community in Devon for 2 years whilst also delivering public drop in sessions in the community when COVID restrictions were lifted, particularly at the 4 general hospitals across Devon to promote video consultations.
We created updated training content on the Digital Health Devon website covering Hospital Services in Devon and also contacted all 4 general hospitals across Devon to arrange regular public digital drop-in sessions at each, physical where possible, virtual if not via Zoom.
*In 2019 we won a national ‘Highly Commended’ award in the ‘Giving people the advice and information they need’ category at the National Healthwatch Excellence Awards.
