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Whilst the volunteers and the Bridges Medical Centre are delighted to have been acknowledged in this editorial, I would like to point out that we are present at all practices across the Weymouth & Portland Primary Care Network (PCN).
The W&P Digital Volunteers were formed in response to a PPG led patient questionnaire which highlighted a high digital literacy in the PCN (up to the age of 75) but a low number of people accessing and managing their health online.
The Digital Volunteers are proactive PPG members who offer peer-to-peer support to help introduce patients to the digital tools and apps available through GP practices including eConsult, Systmonline, Airmid and the NHS app.
After a soft launch at the end of May, we are now working at all 6 practices (8 surgeries) within the PCN and have already supported over 600 patients gain access to their health records, order prescriptions online access test results etc
Our aim is to support patients in taking more ownership of the management of their health and to reduce phone calls to practices so freeing up their time for those who are unable to/not willing to use digital technology.
We are now also supporting practices in launching health apps for patients to self-monitor specific medical conditions e.g. Omron hypertension app.
In my view, the benefits to both practices and patients of patients being able to access their record online far outweigh the negative c...
Competing Interests: None declared.