March 27, 2019 2.20 pm This story is over 68 months old

The doctor will see you now…on video call

People will gain access to it over the coming months

Patients in Lincolnshire will gain access to video consultations with healthcare professionals over the coming months.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) will collaborate with technology platform Q doctor on the new service.

It will mean patients can access specialist healthcare advice and care without travelling to hospital.

The pilot of the scheme highlighted time and cost savings as well as improving convenience for patients and clinicians.

Conventional appointments will also continue to be available.

Director of nursing, allied health professionals and operations for LCHS, Susan Ambler, said: “We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Q doctor. This exciting new service will allow us to deliver great care for patients, close to home.

“By utilising the latest technology in addition to traditional face to face treatment, we are increasing choice and removing the stress and inconvenience of travel from our patients.

“As the NHS continues to make best use of available technology, it is only right that LCHS is at the forefront of implementing innovative technology that will improve access to healthcare in a rural county such as Lincolnshire.”

Q doctor’s founder and CEO, Dr Chris Whittle, said: “Following a successful pilot with LCHS, we are delighted to be partnering with the NHS in Lincolnshire for a longer term collaboration that will support important modernisation in healthcare services for people living in the county.

“Our pilot gave us fantastic feedback and really demonstrated the value of saving time and improving convenience for both patients and clinicians. We were also able to demonstrate significant cost savings that can now be reinvested to support further improvements in care and services for patients in Lincolnshire.”