People who have sussed smartphones, love a laptop or take tablets in their stride could be just what Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is looking for as it gets set to recruit Digital Volunteers to support patients.
The Trust’s Patient Relations & Experience Team wants to attract Digital Volunteers to help people get online and use technology so they feel confident and comfortable and can improve their NHS experience.
The new volunteers will work closely with the Walsall Connected centre at the Manor Hospital – a partnership between Walsall Council and local community associations, libraries and partner organisations. Free Wi-Fi and access to public computers is available and trained staff and volunteers are on hand to assist people and teach valuable digital skills. As well as offering support to residents to access online council services, it also gives them the opportunity to learn transferable digital skills such as using email and web browsing.
Garry Perry, Associate Director – Patient Voice at Walsall Healthcare, said: “We’re looking for volunteers who have good IT skills and knowledge but with the time, patience, and enthusiasm to support others who may be complete novices.
“They will be asked to offer advice, information and support to users who want to get online, learn how to use digital technology, and improve the NHS experience for themselves and those they care for. They will support our Walsall Connected volunteers and will play an important role in helping patients to use our new digital pre-procedure assessment application by Ultramed called MyPreOp. This is an online pre-operative assessment that allows patients to fill in an assessment at home before their procedure.”
Garry added that potential Digital Volunteers would need to be adaptable and confident with a range of different technologies, supporting patients with their own laptop, smartphone, or tablet, helping them access a government service online or arranging a video call with the person they care for.
Digital Volunteers will also support the taking of online responses including, but not limited to, Friends and Family Test feedback, local and national surveys and health-related questionnaires.
Anyone who is enthusiastic about the positive effect that technology can have on someone’s life, has empathy towards patients and carers and would like to be considered for one of these roles is asked to visit https://www.walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk/work-with-us/volunteering/