Press release
Postcode lottery for accessing NHS e-services puts advanced
areas in frontline for benefits
- Study by ntl:Telewest Business reveals public concern over some
locations accessing digital services before others.
18 July 2006 - Nearly a third of people in Great Britain feel
they are not equipped to access the benefits of NHS e-services
based on their location, according to the first part of a national
study published by ntl:Telewest Business today. The study indicates
that the availability of digital services at some GP practices,
while not at others, is leading to public concern over some areas
reaping the benefits of NHS e-services faster than others.
According, to ntl:Telewest Business research, 16% of people
polled have access to one or more digital service such as
electronic appointment bookings, electronic reminders and
prescriptions. Living in technically advanced areas has put them in
the frontline for accessing the benefits of e-services. More than
three quarters of people (84%), however, cited that they are still
unable to access the benefits that digital services have to
afford.
Nearly a third (31%) of people, who do not have access to
digital services, surveyed about their views on this situation felt
negatively towards some areas having access to digital services
that had not yet been made available in their postcode. One
in 10 (12% of this group) felt appalled by the situation and
felt it was unacceptable. Alarmingly, one in five people
were not surprised, feeling that some regions of Great Britain were
discriminated against when it came to accessibility to local health
services.
19% of respondents believed they were getting a worse service
from their GPs, compared to family and friends that lived in a
different part of the country, indicating public concerns over some
areas advancing far more than others in NHS delivery, were in fact
rising.
“Digital services are transforming the NHS and have a real part
to play in improving patient care in Great Britain.”, said
Christopher Small, Director of Public Sector at ntl:Telewest
Business. “But, as the onus is still at a local level to roll these
out, it is clear that technologically advanced areas of Great
Britain will reap more benefits faster.”
Mr Small continued: “The ntl:Telewest Business research warns
that this postcode lottery on the delivery of digital services
could lead to some areas feeling left behind and rising concerns
from the public. More guidance is needed from the government at a
grass roots level to help organisations finding it difficult to
keep up with developments to prevent the emerging digital divide in
the NHS from widening.”
The ntl:Telewest Business' Digital NHS study 2006, which polled
more than 2,200 people across Great Britain, was conducted on
behalf of ntl:Telewest Business by public research specialist
YouGov. The first part of the study sought to examine the public’s
view’s on the rollout of NHS digital services and its general views
on GP communications.
Key findings of the research also included:
- Of those who do not have access to digital services,
respondents from the midlands, north east and north Scotland felt
the most strongly that some regions of Great Britain are clearly
discriminated against when it comes to accessing local health
services.
Also, of those who do not have access to digital services,
Londoners and respondents from the midlands felt the most appalled
at the situation and felt that this was unacceptable.
- 14% of people polled felt communication on public health issues
was either fairly bad or very bad and those in the younger age
bracket felt the least informed.
- Email (55%), post (52%) and GP web sites (37%) were the most
preferred methods of communication for receiving information on
health issues
About ntl:Telewest Business
ntl:Telewest Business, part of the UK’s second
largest fixed-line telecommunications company, is a leading
communications provider to businesses, public sector organisations
and service providers in the UK. It delivers a complete portfolio
of voice, data and internet solutions nation-wide.
ntl:Telewest Business sales and support
teams are located across the UK, in close proximity to our
customers, as part of a commitment to deliver superior customer
service.
ntl:Telewest Business delivers services over
the Group’s £13bn investment in its state-of-the-art
infrastructure giving business customers access to the largest
alternative network in the UK.
ntl:Telewest Business is trusted to provide
critical communications to high profile customers
including: Heathrow's Terminal 5, Birmingham City Council
and Cambridgeshire County Council.
For further information go to http://www.ntltelewestbusiness.co.uk/
ntl:Telewest Business press contacts: