How your smartphone can help you with your health appointment | Tech Reddy

Scheduling and attending a health appointment can be time-consuming and stressful, but your smartphone or tablet can help.

As pressure on NHS services increases, technology is increasingly being used to help ease the burden.

So how can digital devices help? How many people are using technology in Tayside?

If you want to date online, what are your future plans?

Here’s what you need to know.

One of the ways that technology is being increasingly used by health councils, including NHS Tayside, is the Near Me service.

In fact, many people used it during the pandemic because barriers prevented access to health facilities.

What’s available near me?

Near Me allows you to use your digital device to join a video call for a booked health appointment.

You can talk to your clinic remotely and don’t have to attend in person.

And you can use your device at your convenience, usually your own home.

How many people in Tayside have already used it?

Up to 40,000 consultations are held monthly through Near Me across the country.

And in Tayside, there have been more than 113,500 clinical appointments with Near Me online since March 2020.

This includes the outpatient department and GP appointments and other services across NHS Tayside.

Services such as mental health and physical therapy also use Near Me to see patients without the need to visit a medical site.

So how do you access it and how does it work?

Book your appointment online

Your hospital, GP practice or other service will provide you with the video clinic website address.

Most services will give you a meeting date and time when you need to start the video call.

No need to download the app or create an account.

And just like any other meeting, your information remains private.

The Scottish Government said a survey of nearly 25,000 people who used the Near Me service had saved an average of 36 miles per visit.

The survey also found that 92% found the system easy to use and 97% would use it again.

Does this mean I won’t get a personal appointment?

Near Me video consultation is not suitable for all meetings.

If you need a physical exam or procedure, you will still need to be seen in person.

Your health, care or other provider can tell you what’s right for you.

Health Minister Humza Yusuf says: “Face-to-face meetings are always for those in need.

“But Near Me has many benefits for patients, including saving time and money.

“It allows multiple family members to join the consultation and patients have to take time off work or arrange childcare.

“The platform has also reduced the need for travel, saving an estimated 57 million travel miles since January 2020.

“This is very important as we look at the cost of fuel and the impact on the environment.”

What if I don’t have my own device?

The Government recently announced funding to create 55 community hubs with areas for private video consultations across Scotland.

If you live locally and don’t have your own mobile phone or computer, you can arrange to use the service from January 2023 at community digital health centers located at:

There are plans to add more locations in the coming months.

Who can help me?

Stuart Fordyce, digital health officer in Dundee, Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action, says the #DigiDundee program is also helping people get online.

They want to break the digital divide and help those who don’t have the skills to use technologies like Near Me.

He says: “We know there are people in the community who lack the confidence to use new technologies and embrace the digital world around them.

“That’s why we’re reaching out to groups across the city and looking to develop a network of volunteers.

“We hope this can be used to support people, giving them the skills to use new technologies available like Near Me.”