The digital age is upon us, and while the younger generation have grown up with the internet, social media and a multitude of apps, there are many of us who find it harder to navigate our way to access important information and news.
Age UK has conducted research on digital exclusion in the UK. It found that 25 per cent of people aged 65 and over in the UK don't use the internet. Older people who are without digital skills risk losing access to key services such as banking, shopping and health services, as well as communications platforms that keep people connected.
Age UK's 'Digital Champions Programme' seeks to provide support for older people to improve their digital skills through trained volunteers, as well as providing loan technology for those without access. Further information can be found online at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/programmes/digital-skills/digital-c…
However, there are some occasions when a good old fashioned letter is needed to get information across in a timely way to broad sections of the community. As you will know, Royal Mail provides the Universal Service for post, which gives a one-price-goes-anywhere service to around 32 million addresses across the UK.
The service offered by the Universal Service is currently being modernised, while still protecting the choice of price, speed and reliability for letters.
Although there is an increasing move towards digital NHS communications via email, texts, telephone or the NHS App, NHS letters remain crucial, particularly for those who may be digitally excluded.
I am reassured Royal Mail has been working together with NHS England, NHS Providers, Healthwatch England National Voices and the Patients Association to ensure the needs of the public and NHS organisations are met and any changes to the postal service do not lead to worse outcomes or experiences for patients.
Royal Mail has informed me a new Royal Mail NHS-specific barcode has ben introduced so where Royal Mail quality of service performance targets are not being met, this barcode will mitigate the impact on NHS letters by helping to optimise their delivery at times of local and national disruption.
