Martha Lane Fox calls on the NHS to offer free Wi-Fi and digital appointments
Internet entrepreneur turned government adviser Martha Lane Fox has called on NHS England to offer free wi-fi and encourage GP’s to push 10 per cent of their patients online to book appointments and order repeat prescriptions by 2017.
The digital efficiency drive is the latest initiative to look at how hospital services can be modernised whilst still being available to 10m people who currently have no internet access.
In tandem with this the NHS is being asked to do more to support and train staff and patients in developing their digital skills financed through additional resources made available through a health technology fund announced by chancellor George Osborne.
Fox commented: “One of the founding principles of the NHS was to ensure that everyone - irrespective of means, age, sex, or occupation - should have equal opportunity to benefit from the best and most up-to-date medical and allied services available.”
The report will be considered by the National Information Board on Tuesday where it is expected to be approved.