Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) has announced Lincolnshire residents will gain access to video consultations with healthcare professionals through technology platform Q doctor.
The partnership means 735,000 people will now have access to community services across the county, virtually.
Following a successful pilot the technology has now been extended to provide secondary care services through video consultations. The pilot saved 42 face to face consultation for the Clinical Assessment Service and the organisations hope the technology will save this service £42,000 per month. Patients can access the service via a free smartphone app.
Susan Ombler, director of nursing, allied health professionals and operations for LCHS said: We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Q doctor. This exciting new service will allow us to deliver great care for patients, close to home.”
“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.”
Dr Chris Whittle, Q doctor’s Founder and CEO, said: “Following a successful pilot in Lincolnshire, we are delighted to be partnering with LCHS for a longer term collaboration that will support important modernisation in healthcare services for people living in the county. With The Royal College of Physicians recognising that technology and digital solutions are a critical part of future hospital outpatient care provision, it is great to be at the forefront of the drive to modernise NHS services to improve care and outcomes for all patients.”
“Our pilot gave us fantastic feedback and really demonstrated the value of saving time and improving convenience for both patients and clinicians. We were also able to demonstrate significant cost savings, that can now be reinvested to support further improvements in care and services for patients in Lincolnshire.”
