NHS launches GP directory service on mobile
The NHS has made its entire directory of GPs, dentists and hospitals available on mobile for the first time.
From this week, patients can locate and be directed to the closest medical services in their vicinity. The new accessibility could help to save people caught in emergencies.
The information has been made available by NHS Choices, the health health service's online information resource. It has appointed mobile agency Incentivated to design and build the mobile directory.
The location-based service (LBS) enables consumers to send an SMS to a keyword and receive a bounce-back message with a link to a map of their closest medical service.
Alternatively patients can quickly search for their nearest A&E department, dentist, GP or hospital by visi-ting the mobile site.
Robert Thurner, sales director for Incentivated, said that the launch of a mobile site offered the NHS invaluable reach in emergency situations
"There are moments when you need advice and it's difficult to find the information in any other way than via your mobile," he said. "It's quick and easy and demonstrates how effectively LBS can be used to provide value to the public."
He added that mobile offers the NHS significant potential cost savings. Opportunities currently under consideration include sending appointment reminders via SMS.
NHS Choices, which attracts around 2m unique users a month, features a range of additional information online, including comparing hospitals' facilities and waiting times, as well as a information about medical conditions.
The move of the NHS onto mobile follows a series of government initiatives including journey planners, public information announcements and legal advice.
The NHS was unavailable for comment as NMA went to press.
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