NHS could deploy free wi-fi in every GP practice
Every GP practice could receive free wi-fi as NHS England looks at rollout of wireless internet across ‘entire estate’, sparking calls from GPs to stop prioritising ‘bells and whistles’ over essential patient care services.
In a round up of the NHS’s progress towards the Government mandated objective to be ‘paperless’ by 2018, it announced wireless internet could save the health service billions by reducing the time staff spend tied to terminals for administrative tasks.
But GP leaders said it was unclear ‘who the initiative was for’ and beyond ‘giving patients something to do in the waiting room’ the new service did not have obvious benefits for primary care.
The announcements by the National Information Board today also set out time lines for it’s other major IT initiatives, noting that the first NHS-approved health apps – which could even be prescribed by GPs – may be available by the end of the year.
It also highlighted that learning difficulties and dementia will be added to the information available through patients’ Summary Care Record by March 2016, and committed to offering GP appointments online via video through NHS Choices.
A spokesperson for NHS England told Pulse: ‘The NHS is announcing today our intention to investigate the feasibility of providing free WiFi in every NHS building, including every GP practice.’
But Dr Grant Ingrams, deputy chair of the GPC’s IT subcommittee, told Pulse: ‘In the blue book, going back to 2003-04 it says “all IT is funded by the NHS”. So from my point of view, if they want a new IT toy in practices, that’s fine they pay for it. The question is, who is this for?’
He added: ‘Why can’t they sort out the stuff that needs sorting out first? To treat patients safely I need every GP to have decent access to mobile technology when visiting patients at home, or in the nursing home. Please sort that out first, or GP2GP.’
‘This is another bell and whistle, and yeah that’s great, but sort out the basics first. Sort out the bits which are actually affecting our ability to provide safe care.’
NHS England national director for patients and information, Tim Kelsey, said: ‘As well as giving patients more choice and control, better use of technology can save money. Letting people rebook online will help tackle the estimated £160 million that missed appointments cost the NHS each year.’
Take Pulse’s June survey
Want to win a Samsung Smart HD TV? Then take Pulse’s multi-topic survey covering a range of areas affecting general practice.
It should take just a couple of minutes to complete, and will help Pulse gain a vital insight into the views of the profession.
Readers' comments (27)
Anonymous | Salaried GP17 Jun 2015 7:14pm
Can registered patients of a surgery access this free Wi-Fi.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | Work for a pharmaceutical company17 Jun 2015 7:31pm
the wonderful world of vested interests. This is where months of behind the scenes negotiations come to fruition.
No matter limited resource is being wasted on irrelevance. In a world of 4G - is wifi relevant and who will police it!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | GP Partner17 Jun 2015 7:34pm
For a long time now there has been a perception that utilising mobile apps and monitors, email access, telemedicine and telehealth will free up more consultation time. The evidence is quite the reverse. People become even more worried about their results and want to consult us more frequently to discuss their concerns
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | GP Partner17 Jun 2015 7:59pm
Great so they can live-tweet their anger and frustration when we are running late ..
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | Other healthcare professional17 Jun 2015 8:34pm
Trying to imitate Starbucks..... what an excellent use of limited resources.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | GP registrar17 Jun 2015 8:40pm
What next? Loyalty card? Air miles? #clueless
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
PCB | Salaried GP17 Jun 2015 8:58pm
NHSE national director Tim Kelsey must have gone senile . How on earth he presumes that by letting people book online will avoid missed admissions? Currently every patients of ours gets text reminder 1day prior to appointment but still have 60-75 DNA for doctors appointment. (Small surgery with 2800 patients . He obviously has no knowledge of how things work in primary care or about patients behaviour.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Sanjeev Juneja | GP Partner17 Jun 2015 8:59pm
I can already see youngsters flocking to GP Surgeries instead of going to MacDonald's just to use WiFi. Maybe they should clarify how this is going to improve essential services and who is the Etonian getting the Contract.
Stupid waste of resources - mad as a hatter !!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
PCB | Salaried GP17 Jun 2015 9:00pm
Sorry typo mistake wanted to say missed appointments not admission
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | Sessional/Locum GP17 Jun 2015 10:27pm
sweet at least patients might be less likely to complain about waiting - no need for dusty old mags any more lol
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment