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Smartphone consultations with GPs in digital health plan Smartphone consultations with GPs in digital health plan
(about 5 hours later)
Patients will be able to consult with their GP using a smartphone and monitor their conditions via mobile apps, as part of a Welsh government strategy.Patients will be able to consult with their GP using a smartphone and monitor their conditions via mobile apps, as part of a Welsh government strategy.
There will be more opportunity to book appointments online while people will be able to access their health records over the internet.There will be more opportunity to book appointments online while people will be able to access their health records over the internet.
NHS staff will also be expected to use mobile devices to access, collect and transmit data quickly.NHS staff will also be expected to use mobile devices to access, collect and transmit data quickly.
Plaid Cymru welcomed the plan, but warned it would take time to introduce.
Ministers want to put digital technology "at the heart" of NHS care.Ministers want to put digital technology "at the heart" of NHS care.
Under the five-year strategy, people in Wales can expect to:Under the five-year strategy, people in Wales can expect to:
Free Wi-Fi will also be made available at all NHS Wales hospital sites for patients, visitors and staff to use.Free Wi-Fi will also be made available at all NHS Wales hospital sites for patients, visitors and staff to use.
Launching the new strategy, Health Minister Mark Drakeford said digital technology was now "an important part of our everyday lives".Launching the new strategy, Health Minister Mark Drakeford said digital technology was now "an important part of our everyday lives".
"Our vision is for more interactive, personalised health and social services, allowing people to access services wherever and whenever it's convenient to them.""Our vision is for more interactive, personalised health and social services, allowing people to access services wherever and whenever it's convenient to them."
He said patients are often the experts in their own conditions and giving them more control over their care and access to their records could help improve their health.He said patients are often the experts in their own conditions and giving them more control over their care and access to their records could help improve their health.
'Desperately needed'
Plaid Cymru AM Llyr Gruffydd urged ministers to make clear it would take a "long, long time" to make such changes, although he added they would ultimately mean a "more effective service" for patients.
Conservative Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar said: "Anything that improves access to GPs and other medical services is desperately needed in Wales but outcomes will only improve if the services are there in the first place."