Written question WQ91239
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 12 days
Question
How is the Welsh Government supporting people with difficulties using technology in accessing and using digital health services in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
Our Digital and Data Strategy for Health and Social Care in Wales and Welsh Government’s Digital Strategy for Wales, a Programme for Government commitment, make clear our aim to support everyone to gain the motivation, confidence and basic digital skills needed to make informed decisions and choose how they participate in, and make the most of, our increasingly digital world.
We appreciate there will always be those who either actively choose to disengage in digital or require longer-term support to use digital technologies. Our procured, pan Wales, ‘Digital Communities Wales: Digital Confidence, Health and Well-being (DCW)’ programme provides training and support to front line staff and organisations to engage with and develop the digital skills of end users, including older people, to access services.
We have taken key steps to make it easier for people to access GP services, and to ensure equality and consistency of experience across Wales. This has included investing in phone systems and digital methods of access to make it easier for people to contact their practice. GP Practices in Wales have been working to embed the GMS Access Commitment. The Access Commitment requires GP practices to adopt a blended model of access, offering a mix of remote, face-to-face, urgent, on-the-day and pre-bookable appointments.