Remote delivery of Health and Care Services

Added on 25 July 2020

People in Argyll & Bute are being asked for their views on how health and care services might be delivered remotely in the future.

The use of video consultations in Scotland has rapidly escalated since the pandemic started. Prior to March, there were around 300 video consultations using the Near Me system; by June, there were almost 17,000 every week, with around 150,000 in total.

Across NHS Highland, the numbers rose in this period from 86 to 1,156 per week, with 10,138 in total. And in Argyll and Bute specifically, Near Me is being well used in GP practices, mental health services, maternity and obstetrics, paediatrics and a wide range of other specialties.

Now, the Scottish Government team behind Near Me has launched a major engagement exercise to find out what people think about how the system might be improved for the future.

The Government’s vision  that all health and care consultations in Scotland are provided by Near Me whenever it is appropriate – and it is seeking views on that vision.