In a UK first, NHS Lincolnshire launched two digital methods for patients to be able to receive appropriate urgent care for their problems.
You can now text to find out waiting times in hospitals and walk-in clinics around your postcode, and download a desktop client to find the right treatment in the city for your health-related queries.
The digital solutions were developed by NHS Choices, DirectGov and Business Link, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT), and NHS Lincolnshire.
The SMS system is free and easy to use. Just text the word WAITING to 64746, and you will receive the approximate waiting times for A&E departments at Lincoln County Hospital and the Lincoln walk-in centre on Monks Road, as well as other hospitals in the county.
The desktop client by NHS Lincolnshire and NHS Choices is a free widget which provides guidance about where to get the right treatment depending on the health problem.
You can also find a hospital, GP, dentist and other useful medical services in your area, and see the A&E waiting times list.
Peter Buckley, Emergency Care Programme Director for ULHT, is urging people to make use of the two new digital services.
“As the numbers of patients attending our A&E departments continues to rise, caring for the clinically most needy and vulnerable patients is a priority.
“We hope that when patients use the waiting text alert and dashboard they can and will make more informed decisions about whether alternative care, of similar high quality, that is available throughout Lincolnshire might well be a better choice for them.
“This will free up the time of our clinical staff to concentrate on those that really need the services of an A&E department,” Buckley said.
“NHS Choices already provides wide-ranging and trusted information to help individuals make the right choices about their health and care,” added Gary Ashby, the NHS Choices Programme Director.
“Working with the NHS in Lincolnshire on using real-time data and alternatives is the next step in empowering individuals not only to make the right choices for themselves and their families, but also reduces the burden on essential NHS services.”
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Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
Enhanced In-App Browser: Access external links quickly and efficiently, right from the app, without any distractions.
Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!