Over two in every five public library services across England have signed up to a new offering that provides the public with support in how to access online services, including the NHS App.
This means the support will be available at 1,400 libraries across England, with more set to join the programme in the coming weeks.
Both public and NHS libraries are being equipped with toolkits and informative resources, thanks to the health service’s collaboration with the National Health Literacy Partnership.
This type of work is especially important on the health inequality front, as not everyone has access to the internet at home. Librarians are the third most trusted profession in the UK, according to Ipsos.
NHS England’s health inequalities director, Professor Bola Owolabi, said: “The NHS is determined to ensure that everyone has easy access to the latest health advice, particularly those who do not own a device or the internet, as these people are also the most likely to have poor health outcomes.
“Which is why support will now be available in 1,400 public libraries across the country to show people how to use the NHS app or seek out health information online in a free and safe environment close to their home.”
Since its launch in December 2018, more than 35 million people have now registered for the NHS App.
“The recent health literacy pilots in public libraries demonstrate that people want to be shown how to use NHS.uk and the NHS app by trained public library professionals,” said Louis Coiffait-Gunn, CEO at CILIP, the library and information association.
“This phased rollout through public libraries will help even more people access and make the most of their own health information online, in order to ultimately improve their health outcomes.”
This is particularly impactful for disadvantaged communities, he added. Digital session are already underway at libraries in places like Southampton.
Read the full extent of the NHS-library partnership here.
Image credit: iStock
