Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Oliver Heald Excerpts
Wednesday 12th September 2018

(6 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Oliver Dowden Portrait Oliver Dowden
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The Government Digital Service is committed to ensuring full accessibility to all public services, including in our home nation languages, and it will certainly look into that point.

Oliver Heald Portrait Sir Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire) (Con)
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My hon. Friend will be aware that, across the public service, appointments are being missed with experts including general practitioners, consultants, nurses and employment advisers. Is there a role for technology in prompting members of the public to attend these expensive and important appointments?

Oliver Dowden Portrait Oliver Dowden
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My right hon. and learned Friend is absolutely correct, and this is a perfect example of how we can use technology. Indeed, in my experience many GP surgeries already use methods such as text messages to prompt people not to miss their appointments. He will have seen from recent announcements that the Health Secretary is genuinely committed, as are the Government, to investing large sums in the greater use of technology in healthcare.