Unlock digital skills at Blackburn Library

The borough’s first digital health and wellbeing learning centre is now open in Blackburn Library.

Also known as a digital health hub, the centre is a place where staff and volunteers can help people to improve their digital skills and confidence, so they can use online health services more confidently.

There are more and more opportunities for people to use digital services to manage their own health.

People can already book online GP appointments, repeat medications and view GP records online or through an app or websites. As the technology improves across public services, people will in future be able to view their own detailed care plans and interact with NHS and care services through new digital channels, with an aim of improving lives and experiences.

The digital health hub, located in the library’s breakout space on the ground floor opposite the main entrance, aims to help the people who need technology the most to embrace the opportunities offered.

The hub, a concept which has been successfully piloted elsewhere, will provide coaching, education and showcase digital devices and apps to help local people learn and use these new tools to manage their health and wellness.

The Council successfully bid for money from NHS Digital and the Good Things Foundation to develop a hub and has been working with local NHS partners and other organisations to get it up and running.

Councillor Damian Talbot, Executive Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said:

I am really pleased we have developed such an innovative service here in Blackburn with Darwen. Technology can be a vital tool in helping give people more control over their health and care but they need the skills to make the most of these opportunities. This hub can teach residents those skills they are able to enjoy the benefits digital can provide.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Executive Member for Digital and Customer Services, said:

I am really excited to see how this project develops. It would be great to see more of these hubs around the borough at trusted public places people regularly visit. While digital won’t work for everyone, I believe the more we can show how it can make things easier and more convenient and give people greater control, the more people may consider doing things online.

The Council is working with other local public service partners in the region to change health and care services for the better.

Together A Healthier Future, the programme driving the change, has big focus on digital health in its Pennine Plan.