A CAMPAIGN has been launched promoting the use of remote appointments at hospitals across the region.

And a clinician at Airedale Hospital, Steeton, features in a series of videos produced in support of the initiative.

The new drive forms part of efforts to help combat a backlog in outpatient appointments, which has been seen in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

NHS England has introduced guidance that at least 25 per cent of outpatient appointments should take place remotely, alleviating the need for patients to actually attend a hospital.

Last year, West Yorkshire's Integrated Care Board and the Association of Acute Trusts engaged with outpatient teams across the region – including at Airedale – to collate feedback about what could be done to help meet the target.

A board spokesperson says: "Outpatient colleagues identified a need to help both clinicians and patients feel more comfortable with, and well-equipped for, remote appointments and to provide a greater understanding of the benefits.

"The subsequent #ReadyforRemote campaign signposts both patients and staff to tailored, video-led content, which supports them to feel more confident in accessing or delivering remote appointments."

Several West Yorkshire hospital clinicians have shared their experiences of using remote appointments for the campaign videos.

They include Steph Burgess, senior speech and language therapist with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, and two members of the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS trust – matron lead for learning and disabilities (adults) Amanda McKie and consultant paediatrician Dr Sal Uka.

"I tend to find with remote appointments that conversations get straight to the point and we address any issues that there may be in a much quicker way," says Dr Uka.

"Offering variety in my clinic is important, and doing it remotely is definitely more efficient."

The videos also include testimony from Toseef Ahmed, who has a learning disability.

He feels that remote appointments make it easier to communicate with medical staff.

He added: "It’s really helpful for me because people who have learning disabilities can't always have face-to-face appointments and can find it very difficult, so in a way phone appointments are the best way to communicate."

And Kathy Green, who also features in some of the videos, says older people shouldn’t be dissuaded from going remote.

She adds: "Be prepared. Write a list of everything that you want to ask the clinician and if possible, do a run through with a friend or family member."