New Ways to Access Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) facilities - eConsult is now live
The way in which you access Primary Healthcare is changing, making access easier and bringing MOD in line with successful NHS practices. DPHC is rapidly rolling out remote ways of working by introducing digital triage (eConsult) and remote video consultation (AttendAnywhere). This is part of Defence Healthcare’s response to COVID-19.
eConsult is now live and entitled Personnel will be able access healthcare advice and to book a telephone consultation online. Where required a telephone consultation may result in a patient being asked to come in to a medical centre to be seen face-to-face. Patients must not attend in person without first seeking advice from DPHC staff: you will have now received a text about how to access the service.
DPHC is also introducing an online video consultation application called AttendAnywhere. This is secure and will protect confidentiality. Initially, this service will be for Mental Health provision which we recognise is vitally important and must keep running at this time.
Further information and how to access the service
eConsult digital triage services have now gone live across almost all 109 DPHC medical centres making this service available for registered patients and medical staff to use. Patients can search and check the status of eConsult at the DPHC medical centre they are registered with e.g. Aldershot, via the eConsult website. After clicking on the chosen facility, patients will then be guided through the process. Further information is available at www.econsult.net and eConsult Resource Portal (internal users only).
AttendAnywhere Remote Video Consultation
More info available at AttendAnywhere, Involve and Remote Video Consultation Resource Portal (internal users only).
Look out for: simple guidance for patients and Commanders on how to access these services.
These enhancements to services were already planned within the Defence Healthcare Delivery Optimisation (DHDO) Programme. In response to COVID 19, an accelerated roll-out commenced nationally across Defence Primary Healthcare. By reducing face to face contact during COVID-19, it helps protect our patients, staff and the Nation while sustaining maximum access to essential primary healthcare and force generation support. Moreover, because it allows for remote access, it means that wherever an individual moves around the country at this time of emergency they can be guaranteed care through their own doctor from a smartphone or tablet with internet access. This is a fundamental change for Defence Healthcare and brings MOD a significant step closer to processes used successfully across the NHS and rapidly aligns us with the direction from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.