Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 71
Work collaboratively to understand best models for patient technology access and use
Recommendation
The NHS is a universal service, and people should not be unable to access it because of wider challenges around access to technology, connectivity and digital skills. The Department should work with NHS England and other Departments to understand what models would work best for supporting patients to use and access technology in different settings both in and outside the health service (for example, in the community).
Government Response Summary
The government expresses its commitment to accessible healthcare and notes existing multiagency partnerships and past initiatives like the Widening Digital Participation programme. It commits to continuing to investigate and learn from current models to support patients in accessing technology.
Paragraph Reference:
71
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We are committed to enabling people to access healthcare how and when they want. Anyone can be digitally excluded during their lives because our willingness and ability to use digital services varies across time and in different contexts. But some people are more prone to digital exclusion than others—including older, people on lower incomes, disabled people and people living in rural areas. Evidence points to a variety of approaches that can help people to develop digital skills and confidence, such as peer and intergenerational mentoring and engagement through community hubs, local libraries or in people’s homes or care homes. For example, the Widening Digital Participation (WDP) programme which ran from 2013 to 2020 involved pilot projects aimed at widening digital participation in health and care. Phase 1 (2013–16) focused on improving digital health literacy, using a ‘Learn My Way’ digital platform for free online learning and a Digital Health Information network of hundreds of local providers. There are multiagency partnerships across the country which are working to support people to use digital services in different community settings, and we will continue to investigate and learn from these models.