08 Mar 2010
NHS Direct is working with a consortium of leading IT and health specialist organisations to enhance its web and digital services, with a new suite of online clinical assessments available from the summer.
The consortium, led by InferMed Limited and including Rackspace Hosting, EduServ, and Sitecore, will provide a new platform for the delivery of online assessments, providing more choice to the 50,000 patients who already access core NHS Direct services through the internet every day. These will be syndicated to NHS Choices, Directgov and a number of consumer health sites in order to achieve maximum reach.
NHS Direct’s existing web services include an online assessment, available at www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect and a number of online symptom checkers covering mental health, men’s sexual health, contraception and colds and flu. The new platform will mean that more topics can be developed and existing tools can be enhanced to give patients a more advanced personalised experience, using links to other medical websites and forums.
Matthew Garrood, Associate Director of Multi Channel says:
“This is a strategically important project for NHS Direct and we are delighted to be working with these world class service providers to lay a foundation for the future of digital remote care. The new online assessments are going to provide a service that will change the way people interact with the NHS. Initially the services will be available via the web, but in time they will be available on multiple channels from mobile devices to IPTV and games consoles.”
Duane Lawrence, CEO of InferMed Limited commented further:
“NHS Direct has made an important strategic decision to lead the way in online clinical services. InferMed is pleased to be a part of this world class consortium to provide such powerful tools, designed to help NHS patients get the personalised health information they need to take charge of their own care.”
NHS Direct is predominantly recognised as a telephone health information and advice service. Online services allow patients to move seamlessly from the web to the telephone helpline if input from a nurse is needed, giving patients more choice of how they access help. Providing better access to NHS Direct’s telephone helpline and website helps ease the pressure on those healthcare providers in high demand, such as Ambulance Services, A&E departments and GP surgeries.
