Open call for digital technology to support NHS Health Check

Public Health England and app evaluation company ORCHA are working together to identify digital health products capable of supporting the NHS Health Check programme.

The digital solutions will be tested in a small-scale pilot in early 2021.

The organisations are calling on developers of digital health products that could support the aims of NHS Health Check to take part in the trial.

Liz Ashall-Payne, chief executive of ORCHA, said: “We want to hear from developers with great ideas about capturing patient information, communicating it to GPs and supporting the NHS Health Check process in ways that are simple, reassuring and seamless.”

NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. As the population gets older, there is a higher risk of developing certain conditions, such as stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes or dementia.

The programme is designed to lower this risk by spotting the early signs of these conditions.

Digital health solutions such as apps have surged in popularity in the past year and offer a way for patients to become more engaged with their health and care.

Digital can also streamline communications channels between patients and healthcare providers, improving the quality of care a patient receives.

“Digital health offers some fantastic diagnostic tools and can be a real driver for behaviour change,” Ashall-Payne added.

“After the exponential growth in the use of healthcare apps by the general public this year, there has never been a better time to really embed digital approaches into our health system.

“These apps need to be clear and easy to understand – this will be key with the age group in question.”

Developers have until midday on 16 December to take part. More information can be found here.