Taskforce approves projects for NHS community transport app, extension of public Wi-Fi and online data mapping
The Welsh Government is planning pilots of digital schemes to support public services in the Valleys, including an Uber-style community transport app for NHS patients and greater access to public sector Wi-Fi.
The Ministerial Taskforce has approved the pilots, which were put forward as part of a digital vision for the Valleys.
One of the priorities in Our Valleys, Our Future, the delivery plan for the Ministerial Taskforce for the South Wales Valleys, is to develop a digital vision on how technology can be used to deliver better outcomes for people in the region.
The most recent meeting of the taskforce approved pilots including the use of a mobile app for patients who need to travel to hospital for appointments and treatment. This would bring together all providers of community transport.
Others are for a community Wi-Fi scheme, encouraging existing community hubs to open up their networks to local people; and to investigate the use of the online data mapping tool Lle, which provides a hub for environmental data.
Leader of the House at the Welsh Assembly and chief whip Julie James, who is also the Welsh Government lead on digital infrastructure and inclusion, said: “Wales has always punched above its weight on the world stage in terms of digital innovation and the South Wales region in particular has a high concentration of successful digital companies, as well as university expertise in the sector. The taskforce has a really important role to play in ensuring these successes benefit Valleys communities.
“I look forward to seeing how the schemes we’ve agreed to pilot in the Valleys – which have been developed in response to local feedback – can improve the lives of people living and working here, as well as the economic prosperity of the area.”
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
