Innovative technology has been introduced that will allow some patients in Lanarkshire to have virtual consultations with their general practice.

Several Lanarkshire practices will be among the first in Scotland to use ‘Attend Anywhere’ as part of an improvement study. Attend Anywhere, which works on a similar basis to Facetime, helps health care providers offer secure video call access to their services as part of their day-to-day work. Instead of travelling to their appointment, patients or service users enter an online waiting area from their computer, smartphone or tablet. The service is notified when they arrive and a health care provider joins the virtual consultation.

Trial consultations have now been conducted at some surgeries across North and South Lanarkshire. Some patients of these surgeries may now be offered this type of appointment, where appropriate.

The Lanarkshire telehealth team, a Lanarkshire-wide service hosted within South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, is leading the ground-breaking work. Once the initial use has been evaluated, the programme will be extended to other practices in Lanarkshire who wish to participate.

Linda Findlay, medical director of South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “The introduction of Attend Anywhere marks another milestone in our journey to deliver health and care that is suited to the changing needs of the people of Lanarkshire”.

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