A new analytical map to help GP practices and PCNs understand where digital access may be creating barriers for patients has been launched by NHS England.
The Digital Exclusion Risk Atlas (DERA) brings together a range of data indicators to highlight areas in England where people may face obstacles in accessing and using digital health and care services, affecting the patient experience.
Four factors are combined including access to devices, connectivity, affordability and digital skills or confidence plus wider demographic information to give a single overall risk score.
‘By improving visibility of these patterns, the Atlas aims to support more targeted interventions and contribute to efforts to reduce health inequalities,’ NHS England has said particularly as more services move online.
The tool allows users to:
- explore patterns of digital exclusion risk across England
- identify areas where the risk may be higher
- compare risk across national, regional and local geographies
- use insights to inform planning, prioritisation and service design.
Users can also focus on specific areas, searching by ICB or PCN, and see how they compare nationally and locally.
The data tool has been designed not just for practices and PCNs but for ICBs, population health and analytics teams, digital and transformation teams, local authorities, voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and wider system partners.
The site includes a user guidance section, as well as frequently asked questions and case studies and examples.
As digital healthcare pathways continue to expand, the Atlas will support health and care systems to design and deliver more inclusive digital services, NHS England has said.
