Remote GP and home consultations have escalated in Scotland
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The NHS in Scotland is ramping up its use of a new system that allows clinicians to consult with patients remotely.
Developed and tested in 2018 and 2019, the Near Me video consulting service was initially used mainly in the Highlands, where distances can be an issue.
Now, its use has escalated all over Scotland during Covid-19.
All GP practices in the country, including those in NHS Grampian’s area are now equipped to use Near Me and most are currently doing so.
National Clinical Director, Jason Leitch, said: “Near Me is proving to be an invaluable tool in the fight against coronavirus.
"It means people can receive urgent health care and advice remotely from the safety of their own home, without exposing them or NHS clinicians to infection risk.
"It’s also possible for GPs and other clinicians to use it from their home if they are at high risk of infection.
“Offering quick and easy access to health services without the need to travel is vital for patients, especially if they are self-isolating because of coronavirus.
"Near Me works exactly like a face-to-face meeting except that patients do not need to travel to see a GP.”
The Scottish Government has been working to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet the growing demand for Near Me and is assuring patients and carers that it is an appropriate, effective and secure means of conducting remote consultations.
Patients offered a Near Me appointment at home will need to have a device for making a video call, such as a smartphone, tablet or computer with webcam, and a reliable internet connection.
As with any other appointment, patients must first contact their GP practice and it will arrange for an appointment to be booked in the normal manner.
This may be done by telephone.
Commenting, Clare Morrison, who helped to introduce the new system in NHS Highland, now co-leads the national Near Me programme, Said : “Patients and clinicians alike are finding Near Me to be an easy-to-use, secure resource which reduces the risk of Covid-19 exposure.
“When Near Me was first introduced, the aim was to improve access to services for patients.
"This included reducing travel to appointments and making it easier for people who found it difficult to leave home.
"Reducing travel also has significant environmental benefit. All these aims remain important, but obviously the current focus on the use of Near Me is to reduce infection exposure.
One patient who has been using Near Me for some time is Aberdeenshire resident Phil Barlow, who has had monthly video consultations since he was diagnosed with myeloma in August last year, Phil said: “I found the whole thing simple and easy to follow.
"I just call using my smartphone and, though I might have to spend a while in a virtual waiting room a while for my appointment, I do get through and have a good chat with a consultant haematologist.”
Near Me saves Mr Barlow a 45-minute car journey to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and also eliminates the need for direct contact with a clinician.
There were already plans in place to increase the use of Near Me in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated those plans but the expectation is that the system will continue to be used in order to make appointments more accessible for patients, both from home and from the workplace.
More information about Near Me is available at www.nearme.scot
