An online library of more than 600 videos aims to make it easier for patients to access trusted health information and guidance remotely.

The Health and Care Video Library has been produced by digital health agency and PIF member Health and Care Innovations (HCI).

NHSX has secured a national license for NHS clinicians to access the library of health and care videos, written by NHS clinicians and developed to work within care pathways, free of charge. 

These short and easily accessible videos cover topics and conditions from pregnancy to podiatry and have been designed to offer a practical and easier to understand alternative to written information.  

HCI Director Richard Wyatt-Haines said: “We’ve seen great things happen in health when simple digital solutions are implemented effectively. 

"Now, more than ever, we can help utilise our content to reduce outpatient demand, increase prevention and self-care and facilitate remote consultations. 

"It is a joy for us as a team to now be able to share this more widely so more patients can benefit, and life is made just that little bit easier for clinicians.”

Use of video in digital clinical pathways has been shown to significantly:

  • Increase patient understanding
  • Improve patient experience
  • Reduce the necessity of face-to-face appointments
  • Reduce appointment time
  • Release clinician time

HCI already works with a large number of Trusts and CCGs across the country to transform pathways of care using digital solutions.

It has seen how the effective use of video not only supports patients but also eases pressure on clinicians and the healthcare system.

A study at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust showed the use of patient videos in physiotherapy, cardiology, podiatry, maternity and gastroenterology services over a year resulted in 6,598 fewer appointments, the equivalent to 4,497 hours of clinician’s time. 

This amounts to a cost saving of £350,000.

Clinicians already utilising HCI’s video content as part of their care pathways have benefited from being able to refer patients to reputable and consistent advice. 

By ensuring patients are prepared and knowledgeable, they have been able to release their capacity to care.

Chris Dixon, Lead Nurse, Rheumatology/Osteoporosis, said: "Using videos is the way forward as we’re often bombarded with written information and people don’t want to read it. 

"These videos are short, and our patients like them as an information source.  

"We often recommend that they watch the video before calling our helpline as the answer is usually in the content, saving us time."

To support the use of the video library and to help maximise its impact, HCI has created an online Resource Hub for NHS clinicians to access information and guidance on how to use and share the videos in clinical specialities and pathways.  

HCI will also be conducting a series of short webinars to provide more information on how to use video effectively across primary and secondary care.  

The Health and Care Video Library can be accessed at www.healthandcarevideos.uk and is also available as an app by searching for ‘Health and Care Videos’ in your app store.