Interactive TV part of new NHS information strategy

The strategy, “Better information, better choices, better health", also proposes an accreditation scheme for health information websites using the NHS logo and the introduction of a new search engine that will find approved content in January 2005.

Harry Cayton, director for patients and the public, told the launch: “We wanted to make health information integral to delivering health care. Knowledge and information about our health is acutely part of healthcare; lack of literacy and lack of access to health information is one of the drivers of disadvantage. We want to help healthcare workers by giving them resources to support their work."

John Reid, Secretary of State for Health, said that the service and the strategy were aimed to improve provision of information for prevention of illness, and “to make sure we realise that we are not a sickness service for those already ill, but a health service."

Pilots of the system indicated that the NHS Direct Interactive will particularly reach younger men and women in low-income households. According to the DH, it will be used as part of the overall choice strategy.

The digital TV site (homepage above) shares copy with the NHS Direct website, with the differences that the language has been re-written so it is more concise, and that multimedia such as videos has been added to the system. There are around 2,500 pages on the site, and information pages are available in sixteen languages explaining how to obtain help.

Like the website, the system features a health encyclopaedia and latest news and topics, as well as government advice on controversial issues such as MMR jabs.

Peter Dick, programme manager of NHS Direct Interactive, told E-Health Insider that the digital TV angle is to be developed along with the recommendations of the new strategy. “What we are doing is building a foundation that allows us to provide a technological framework in which we can put out information services."

The new NHS Direct Interactive is currently only available through Sky, by pressing the red button and selecting the service from the main menu. It is hoped that that the service will be rolled out to digital terrestrial and cable services shortly.

The new information strategy can be downloaded here.