Thread by @NHSNearMe

.Today @scotgovhealth published a landmark Independent Evaluation by @trishgreenhalgh into the use of the #NearMe video consultation for health and care across Scotland during #COVIDー19:

👉bit.ly/2QxTXXv (Summary)
👉bit.ly/2OROTgf (Full)

@DrGregorSmith

In March 2020, backed by @JeaneF1MSP The #NearMe @TECScotland launched a '12-wee scale-up plan to help rapidly deploy the use of video of health and care. At the time use was limited to ~300 consults per week. It was a big ask #COVIDー19. What happened?

By June 2020 there was a 50-fold increase in the use of video consultations, from 330 per week to just under 17,000. Such was the size of the scale-up @scotgov commissioned the Independent Evaluation to look at how the platform and the people adapted to change.

The evaluation was carried out between July and September 2020; used mixed methods and researcher @trishgreenhalgh selected 8 boards to reflect differing contexts, geography, and adoption #NearMe progress.

The report by expert @trishgreenhalgh concluded that using the #NearMe technology helped to reduce the risk of infection and allowed for continued service provision in the face of all the challenges imposed #COVIDー19 @TECScotland @mgtwhoriskey @hazelarcher @marcbeswickahp

Between March and June 2020, #NearMe video consultations went from 330 per week to just under 17,000. Hospitals and community care services were responsible for 77% and GP services 23% and well-received in Care Homes.

The latest figures, report more than 800,000 #NearMe consultations in Scotland since March2020, with c21,250 taking place every week. Patients and service users can get a virtual consultation and so far this has saved an estimated total of 22 million miles in travel.

Commenting on the findings @mgtwhoriskey said: "I welcome the report and see it as a hugely encouraging endorsement of our decision that the roll-out of #NearMe should be greatly accelerated at the time #COVIDー19 was gaining momentum."

More from @mgtwhoriskey "The independent evaluation has shown that #NearMe has played a significant role during the pandemic – and should continue to be a useful option in health and social care provision. I am so very grateful to my dedicated team and everyone who has helped.”

One of the evaluation report’s co-authors: @trishgreenhalgh said: “There’s no doubt that Scotland hit the ground running with video consultations – and there are clear lessons here for other countries. This technology has made a vital contribution to public health in Scotland.”

The Report has been published at a time which will allow generic findings to influence wider work @scotgov @scotgovhealth @digitalscots @JonCamer0n @AlistairHodgson @calum_cockburn across health, social care and public sector #NearMe

As well as the benefits the Evaluation #NearMe reveals some challenges. It highlights some constraints related to IT and physical infrastructure. While there were no surprises it further evidences the importance of video being an option.

Tayside GP @DocScott82 said "@RCGPScotland supports Near Me as an option offered to patients, alongside face-to-face and telephone consultation. However, trying to bring #NearMe to general practice was certainly not as simple as just providing the platform and equipment."

. "GPs are in a relationship-based profession," says @DocScott82" and I sorely miss clinics routinely filled with patients and sitting down with them. Covid-19 changed that and Near Me has opened a door. It is now widely used in practices the length and breadth of Scotland.”

The Report highlights issues of 'inequalities' something that @DocScott82 also commented on: "We should be mindful that not all patients have access to technology or are confident in using it and we should continue to promote and provide face-to-face consultations when required."

The independent evaluation is the latest body of work to highlight the value of video consulting in Scotland. @HISengage Citizen Panel report, published earlier this month, also highlighted public support for continued use of #NearMe beyond #COVIDー19

In September 2020, the @TECScotland @mgtwhoriskey @hazelarcher @clareupnorth released findings of a major public engagement exercise and survey. It attracted 5,400 responses, showing that there was strong support among clinicians and members of the public for the use of #NearMe.

Follow our new thread as we bring you the headlines from @trishgreenhalgh on the authors 14 recommendations to further improve #NearMe