Novel figures from the NHS Choices and NHS Direct reveal that more individuals are using the internet for trusted advice and health information this winter.
Compared to last year, daily visitors to the NHS Choices website increased by 56% between October to the end of December, even though flu levels are lower so far this year. This increase is equal to 133,000 more visits per day this year (368,000), in comparison to 235,000 visits per day during the same period in 2010.
Worries regarding Norovirus increased traffic to the site by 162% over the Christmas period, in comparison to the same period in 2010. Between the 19th to the 27th of December, 2011, visits increased by 117% compared to the week before.
There were 116,085 visits to the Norovirus page between October to the end of December, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 (70,347 visits).
Visits to pages with flu and cold information decreased, with more individuals seeking flu jab information. Visits to the “about the vaccine” page rose by 73% while visits to the “who should have it” increased by 91%.
On average, just under 11 million individuals visit the NHS Choices site, over the winter period, compared to 6.8 million visits during the same period in 2010. Yearly, visits to the site have increased by 35%.
There are currently approximately 26,000 patients who use NHS Direct online, compared to about 12,000 who carry out their inquiries by telephone. In December, the most frequent searches on NHS Direct’s health and symptom checkers were abdominal pain, colds and flu, skin problems, rashes, female sexual health, vomiting and diarrhea.
Furthermore, more individuals are looking for health advice via mobile phone applications. Over the past year the number of times NHS Choices’ Alcohol Tracker and Quit Smoking mobile phone /iPhone applications have been downloaded has increased by 43% and 13% respectively. In the six months from the NHS Direct’s app launch in May, 2011 it has been downloaded 1 million times.
NHS Medical Director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh explained:
“NHS Choices is the world’s leading health website used by around 11 million patients every month. NHS Choices’ high quality, clinically assured information is even more important over the winter months. Whether finding information on self care for minor ailments or the location of the nearest pharmacy, NHS Choices can help people look after themselves and reduce pressure on the NHS, enabling resources to be concentrated where they’re most needed.”
Health Minister Simon Burns said:
“The Internet is an increasingly popular source of health advice for millions of people, especially over the busy winter period. I am please that over 50 per cent more patients than this time last year are getting accurate, reliable online advice about how to best manage their symptoms to get them on the road to recovery as quickly as possible. Easy and convenient online access to information, as well as over the phone, is not only hugely reassuring for patients, but also supports the NHS in delivering the best possible care during busier periods.”
Written by Grace Rattue