Independent health and social care consumer champion Healthwatch Torbay have now begun delivering a free local programme of online health & social care training and support – aimed primarily at older people and voluntary community groups in Torbay.
“An area of concern we have heard from the public is that they are either unaware of or unable to access useful health and social care resources on the internet that could have a positive impact on their wellbeing – such as the ability to book an appointment, order a prescription, self-refer or rate and review their experience all at the click of a button,” said Healthwatch Torbay Chair Dr Kevin Dixon. “We want to help these people who are – for whatever reason – ‘digitally excluded’ from using online services by providing them with a route, with support, to join the online world and access all the local digital health and social care resources available to them.”
The Healthwatch Torbay ‘Digital Inclusion’ project is designed to reach a large number of front line volunteers, so that they have the skills to assist those lacking access to the internet to get and use online health and social care resources.
The project will also offer one-to-one support to those aged over 50 so that they can receive advice and support in their own home and be shown how to register with local online resources such as self-referral systems, appointment-booking systems, and how to rate and review local services online.
The project began recently with a training session held at Paignton Library for local volunteers that regularly work with the public, so they can pass on this knowledge to the people that will benefit most from it.
“We’re very excited to start this important project that we know could have a significantly positive impact on both the wellbeing of Torbay residents and the demand on local health and social care services,” continued Dr Dixon. “If anyone is interested in taking part in our free training or even becoming a trainer please get in touch with us. Your help and support could really make a difference locally.”
If you are interested in receiving the training or even in helping support this project, please call Healthwatch Torbay free on 08000 520 029 or email admin@healthwatchtorbay.org.uk.
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