Shetland to get IT help from Lothian

AN NHS Lothian IT helpdesk is to take calls from Shetland in a bid to help the island health board cope with demand.

It has been announced that the two organisations have struck a deal which will see eHealth service desk calls transferred to Edinburgh from the most northerly health board.

And while the expected additional 250 calls a month will make a huge difference to support staff there, health chiefs here said that was only equivalent to the number of calls answered between 9am and 11am on any given day.

Health agencies across Scotland are increasingly using technology to address health needs, particularly in rural areas, and NHS Lothian is one of the furthest on in Scotland with developments, hence the helping hand for Shetland.

Iain Robertson, head of eHealth operations, said: "This service will allow us to work together and keep costs down."