21.05.12
Power to the patient
Will the move to more online control of patient records, information about available services, and appointment bookings, significantly improve services and mitigate the 8am rush of phone calls to GP surgeries?
It is in line with the wider move to organise services via the internet, and a natural extension of the principle behind Choose & Book for outpatient appointments. More and more people organise large parts of their lives online; for these patients, it may be easier to navigate the NHS using the internet, and manage their health around their daily lives. All too many people, especially those managing busy working lives and/or childcare, express amazement that there are not more sophisticated, universal and patient-centred ways of booking GP appointments than the early-morning phone call, with crossed fingers.
But what about those who do not share such good internet access? Either through poor connectivity, or lack of experience with the technology, there are still many who would wholeheartedly prefer the traditional means of communication with their doctor. The system needs improving for everyone.
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