Lincolnshire Community Health Services partners with Q Doctor
LINCOLN: Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) has partnered with Q Doctor to provide video consultation services to patients.
Over the coming months the mobile platform will go live, making Lincolnshire the first example of widespread integration of video consultations across secondary care.
Patients can access the service via a free smartphone app, that has been developed in partnership with clinicians and recognised by the CQC as safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
Conventional appointments will continue to be provided for patients who prefer to see a healthcare professional in person, however the convenience of the service will mean that 735,000 people will be able to access specialist healthcare advice and care without the additional hassle, stress and cost of travelling.
The short pilot saved over 42 face to face consultations and demonstrated potential savings of over £42,000 annually across the clinical assessment service alone.
Susan Ombler, director of nursing, allied health professionals and operations for LCHS said: “By utilising the latest technology in addition to traditional face to face treatment, we are increasing choice and removing the stress and inconvenience of travel from our patients.
“As the NHS continues to make best use of available technology, it is only right that LCHS is at the forefront of implementing innovative technology that will improve access to healthcare in a rural county such as Lincolnshire.”
