NearMe video calling service enhances accessibility across South Ayrshire

South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership is proud to celebrate six months of successfully implementing its NearMe video calling platform, a secure and user-friendly service designed to improve how service users connect with essential services.

After a pilot phase in March 2024, South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership launched NearMe in the summer. NearMe has now been integrated across multiple services within South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership as well as South Ayrshire Council. To date, 274 staff members - including those from Social Work, Occupational Therapy and South Ayrshire Council Housing, have now been trained to use the platform. There are now 33 waiting areas in operation, ensuring tailored accessibility for service users across these services.

NearMe offers a range of benefits to service users. There is no need to download an app, as the system works through a secure one-time link sent by email or text message. This makes it simple to access the platform, saving users the time and inconvenience of travelling to appointments. It also accommodates those who work full-time, have shift patterns, or live remotely, providing a flexible option to access services. The flexibility of NearMe also enables users to have someone with them for support at their appointment. Importantly, all video calls on NearMe are private and are not recorded, ensuring a safe and confidential experience for all users.

For service providers, NearMe enhances communication and efficiency. Service providers can invite additional participants into a call when needed, creating a seamless way to involve other professionals or services which can ultimately save time for both the service user and provider.

Councillor Hugh Hunter, portfolio holder for health and social care said, "NearMe is a fantastic resource which has shown to bring real benefit to our communities. Since the pandemic there has been a significant shift in the demand for digital solutions and NearMe provides a great opportunity. The rural demographics of South Ayrshire make it the perfect place to showcase its benefits."

"The additional support provided by the platform to allow family members or carers to join appointments is fantastic. Our communities have a high dependency ratio so it is important to ensure this option is made as straight forward as possible for our service users."

Reflecting on the service's progress, Tim Eltringham, Director of South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership added "NearMe has quickly become an invaluable tool in how we deliver our services. It allows us to meet people where they are - whether that be locally, abroad or in remote areas, all whilst maintaining the high standards of care and confidentiality South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership delivers. The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are thrilled to see how this technology has enhanced our ability to connect and support our community."

As NearMe continues to grow in its reach, we remain committed to improving service delivery and welcome feedback from users to ensure ongoing success.

To find out more information about NearMe in South Ayrshire, visit https://hscp.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/nearme