Near Me

As part of our improvement approach, the Near Me team have worked with partners, clinicians, service managers and service providers to develop guidance notes to support the setup of new Near Me services. These are aimed at staff members involved in setting up the new service rather than Near Me users.

Training for service providers can be found in the training section.

The Near Me service gives the people of Scotland the choice to attend health, care and other appointments via video call where appropriate. The pages in the Near Me section of this website provide information, guidance and help to start using Near Me. More guidance, including service provider guides, hints and tips is available on the National Virtual Consultation Service site. A separate website for members of the public is available at nearme.scot.

Developing your spread plan

The iterative theme continues within the spread plan:

Our aim is that Near Me consultations can be offered to anyone, where it is appropriate both for the person and for the nature of the appointment.

Based on feedback from our public engagement, we have been working with Attend Anywhere to improve accessibility on the platform, and have created a range of translated and easy read information leaflets and continue to support those digitally excluded via the Connecting Scotland Programme.

Group consultations to address health and wellbeing needs of patients are recognised as being effective and an efficient use of clinicians’ time. They also provide a safe environment where patients can gain mutual support from others with a shared health condition as part of their self-management.  

Group Consultations using Near Me

Group consultations are now available using Near Me. Group Waiting Areas can be easily created so clients can attend group sessions using the same process as one to one calls.

Our improvement approach is an iterative process underpinned by the Model for Improvement. It is designed to support a rapid, yet sustainable, implementation of Near Me and takes between 3 and 6 months to reach the point of spread.