EVERY GP surgery in the Vale of York is to offer patients free-to-use wi-fi from the start of next year.

The NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says it has secured public access Internet services on behalf of all surgeries.

It said it will be available from January 1 at all 62 GP surgeries in its area, which includes York, allowing patients to book follow-up appointments, order repeat prescriptions or simply browse the internet using their smartphone or tablet while they wait to be seen by their GP or practice nurse.

A spokesman said: “The CCG received £151,000 from NHS England to implement the rollout of free-to-use Wi-Fi across all of its GP surgeries.

“The NHS Digital Wi-Fi Programme initiative forms part of NHS England’s objective to offer free-to-use internet across all NHS sites in the country by spring 2019.”

He said the CCG had chosen eMBED, which already manages its IT services, to oversee the rollout and ongoing maintenance of the Wi-Fi services.

Chief finance officer Tracey Preece said the NHS funding meant a ‘comprehensive digital healthcare experience’ could be offered, adding: “Patients will have greater scope to manage their health online as the free Wi-Fi service will help them to access digital portals such as online pharmacy services, appointment booking services and approved patient healthcare apps.”

Dr Shaun O’Connell, a local GP and the CCG’s joint medical director, said the move could lead to better health outcomes, as patients would be able to access their patient record online, enabling them to take a more active role in discussing their condition with their GP.