With funding from the North Powys Wellbeing (NPWB) Programme, two Digital Facilitators have been appointed to provide advice and support to people attending online video appointments.
The new service in Powys is being highlighted as part of the Welsh Government’s Help Us Help You campaign. Cath Quarrell is Service Development Manager with Powys Teaching Health Board. She explained:
“We understand that not everyone is used to using the technology that, for many of us, has become part of our working world since the onset of the pandemic. But, thanks to the NPWB funding, we’ve been able to invest in support staff to guide people through this process, helping them log onto the video session using the technology they have.”
“Within the services which we are supporting, we’ve seen the percentage of missed appointments reduce from some 20% down to around 3%. The way you access NHS services has changed but we are still here for you and video consultations can keep you safe,” explained Cath.
Most tablet computers, smartphones, PCs and laptops that have some form of camera can be used with these video systems. Patients are offered the help of the Digital Facilitators when health staff arrange appointments although the health board recognises that, for some people, a face to face appointment is more appropriate.
Owen Hughes is Head of the health board’s Pain and Fatigue Management Service. He commented: "The average Powys resident has a round-trip of 37 miles to access healthcare – if you’re experiencing the effects of long-term pain or chronic fatigue this can feel much further, not to mention the cost and time involved in attending appointments. Anything that helps us overcome these challenges is good news for individuals – especially if it helps us to reduce our carbon footprint at the same time.”
As well as funding a number of short-term projects to improve health and wellbeing, the North Powys Wellbeing Programme is also working on long term plans to improve health and care provision in north Powys – including the development of a Multi Agency Wellbeing Campus in the centre of Newtown.
The way people access NHS services has changed but we are still here for you. Help Us Help You by getting to know the different ways you can access the NHS so you can get the right help at the right time by checking online using NHS 111 Wales.
Get to know the different ways you can access the NHS by checking online through the NHS 111 Wales website, so you can get the right care at the right time, in the right place.
