NHS England is poised to roll out plans to train 100,000 members of the public in basic online skills by 2014, in order to 'reduce health inequalities'.
NHS England said it will develop a programme to support people that do not, but could if they wished, use the internet in a bid to reduce inequalities in booking health appointments online. The news follows announcements to make the NHS paperless by 2018 and allow members of the public to book GP appointments online by 2015.
NHS England's business plan, published last month said: 'The Health Online Programme will improve the way in which people interact with health services, including online access to key elements of the care process. 100,000 citizens will be trained in basic online skills to boost health literacy by April 2014.'
A statement from NHS England said they would target areas of social deprivation and would work with local initiatives, which have experience in providing online skills to select 'eligible citizens'.