11 March 2020

Work to rapidly scale up ‘NHS Near Me’ the service which enables patients to have a video consultation with medical professionals in their home is underway.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre for a demonstration of the technology and to learn more about how it could help to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Today @NicolaSturgeon saw the technology which enables patients to have a video consultation with medical professionals from their own home.

'NHS Near Me' will be essential to help reduce face to face contact should there be significant increases in the need for self-isolation. pic.twitter.com/R7vAODIjc7

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) March 11, 2020

Video consultations are already in use in Scotland although mainly in rural areas. They will now become more common in urban settings too.