Vote now for team behind NHS video calling

NHS Western Isles is encouraging islanders to vote for their local mPower team, who are finalists in the European Network European Social Services Awards, after their tremendous work efforts in rolling out NHS Near Me to all care homes throughout the Outer Hebrides.
By John A. MacInnes
Published 17th Nov 2020, 13:51 BST
NHSWI mPower Team - From left: Sue Long (Western Isles mPower Implementation Lead), Isabel Morrison (Western Isles Community Navigator - Uist & Benbecula) and Louise Anne MacDonald (Western Isles Community Navigator - Lewis & Harris).NHSWI mPower Team - From left: Sue Long (Western Isles mPower Implementation Lead), Isabel Morrison (Western Isles Community Navigator - Uist & Benbecula) and Louise Anne MacDonald (Western Isles Community Navigator - Lewis & Harris).
NHSWI mPower Team - From left: Sue Long (Western Isles mPower Implementation Lead), Isabel Morrison (Western Isles Community Navigator - Uist & Benbecula) and Louise Anne MacDonald (Western Isles Community Navigator - Lewis & Harris).

Shortly after the first lockdown started in April this year, the Western Isles mPower team worked to connect those who were vulnerable and at risk of becoming the most isolated due to the new government restrictions, successfully managing to roll out NHS Near Me to all ten of the islands’ care homes.

NHS Near Me is a secure video calling platform which enables GPs and hospital staff to provide confidential consultations with their patients.

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It also allows care home residents to be able to see their families virtually, which is especially critical for isolated individuals social and mental health and wellbeing during this difficult time caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.

Working closely with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the team were able to arrange the delivery of tablet devices and provide support to care home managers to ensure platforms were set up, training provided and make additional technical support available as and when it was required.

Sue Long, NHS Western Isles mPower Implementation Lead, said: “We have been told that after being shown how to use a tablet, one resident was so excited about seeing his family over a video call that he barely slept the night before.

“It is fantastic to see our work being recognised on a wider European stage and to know that the lessons we have learned will be shared and implemented across other nations.

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“In fact, as a result of this initial project, similar work has already happened within Northern Ireland and is ongoing elsewhere within Scotland.”

To vote, please visit https://essa-eu.org/vote-now/ and select ‘mPower NHS NSS’ within the Technology Tools Award – Public Vote.

Online voting will be open until Thursday, November 26.

Related topics:NHSNorthern Ireland