Independent community development charity Devon Communities Together is collaborating with community health and wellbeing organisation, Wellmoor, on NHSX’s Digital Inclusion Pioneers Programme, to explore and understand the barriers to accessing online healthcare services.

While the use of digital devices is increasing across all population groups, adoption of digitally enabled health care is not growing at the same rate. Funding has been received to support discovery work with people living in our most rural communities - with particular focus on those living in the most deprived areas and those most geographically distant from our acute hospitals.

The project team has already conducted an exploratory workshop and has since been using the intelligence gathered to plan the forthcoming research programme.

“The key focus will be older people in rural areas who are digitally excluded, unwilling to try online consultations, or who have tried online consultations with clinicians and who can share their experiences (positive and negative),” said Laura Dixon, Project Manager at Devon Communities Together, which works with communities across Devon on a wide range of projects and services, many of which directly support community health and wellbeing.

“Not everyone is aware that remote consultations are being offered more widely but for people living in rural areas, a video call could be a way of getting the health care they need without having to travel what may be a long distance, particularly if reliant on public transport.

“Of course, online consultations may not be for everybody, and it may be difficult for people who don’t have a computer, who don’t feel confident either using one for a video call or talking about their health issues this way. We are looking forward to exploring these challenges with a wide range of service users and stakeholders to get a deep understanding of the barriers and how they may be overcome.”

The specific pathways being focused on are: Chronic Respiratory Disease; COPD; Early Cancer diagnosis (screening and early referral); Gastroenterology; Maternity; Mental Health MSK (painful bone and joint conditions).

The outcomes from the project will inform the development of a Digital Inclusion Strategy for Devon whilst also giving healthcare providers confidence in taking immediate action to addressing barriers to digital access.

If you would like to find out more about the project, please contact Laura Dixon on [email protected] Tel: 07943 861420