Local healthcare is striving towards the digital age as video link appointments and electronic prescriptions hit Kirklees.
Locala Community Partnerships have introduced online appointments where patients can have access through Skype or Microsoft Lync to health professionals. The community healthcare provider has invested in Skype and new Microsoft Lync technology which means a patient can speak to and see their clinician from the comfort of their own home or even at work.
Video appointments are being introduced with a focus on being able to have quick access to an initial look at symptoms and for follow up appointments. Locala said, “We’re using this technology here in Locala for telephone calls, instant messaging and video conferencing, which cuts down on face to face meetings, saving time and travel costs. We’re encouraging partner organisations to do the same wherever we can.”
Adding to the digital healthcare revolution is the Electronic Prescription Service now being introduced in a number of local GP practices. This national incentive is primarily for repeat prescriptions. Rather than the old system of picking up a repeat prescription from your doctors surgery, under this new system the prescription will be electronically forwarded to a pharmacy of your choice.
You do need to assign a pharmacy for your doctor to send the electronic prescription to and pharmacies are asking patients to sign a consent form so that they can be linked to the system.
The one draw back is the electronic prescription means you won’t be able to take the prescription to another pharmacy if your chosen one does not have the medication you need.
To find out more about video link appointments patients can hit the ‘Click for care’ button on the Locala website, www.locala.org.uk and ask their clinician.
