Mobile health and apps news in brief

Our latest mobile health and apps news roundup features news that Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust have partnered with Q Doctor to provide video consultation services and Liva Healthcare has been named in the Digital Leaders list for 2019.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services partners with Q Doctor

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) has partnered with Q Doctor to provide video consultation services to patients.

Over the coming months the mobile platform will go live, making Lincolnshire the first example of widespread integration of video consultations across secondary care.

Patients can access the service via a free smartphone app, that has been developed in partnership with clinicians and recognised by the CQC as safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Conventional appointments will continue to be provided for patients who prefer to see a healthcare professional in person, however the convenience of the service will mean that 735,000 people will be able to access specialist healthcare advice and care without the additional hassle, stress and cost of travelling.

The short pilot saved over 42 face to face consultations and demonstrated potential savings of over £42,000 per month across the clinical assessment service alone.

Susan Ombler, director of nursing, allied health professionals and operations for LCHS said: “By utilising the latest technology in addition to traditional face to face treatment, we are increasing choice and removing the stress and inconvenience of travel from our patients.

“As the NHS continues to make best use of available technology, it is only right that LCHS is at the forefront of implementing innovative technology that will improve access to healthcare in a rural county such as Lincolnshire.”

Liva Healthcare secures Digital Leaders 100 spot

Liva Healthcare has been recognised as one of the top ten healthtech innovations on the Digital Leaders list for 2019.

Digital Leaders is the nationwide programme for promoting effective, long-term digital transformation across government, industry and charities.

The independent list recognises 100 people and organisations across the UK who are leading the way in digital transformation in all sectors.

Liva Healthcare is an innovative digital health platform designed to tackle chronic diseases through changes in lifestyle and behaviour.

The programme has been proven to halt and reverse Type 2 diabetes by helping patients change their lifestyle. Its platform supports patients in monitoring and managing their lifestyle with the help of a free, dedicated personal health coach.

Kristoffer From, CEO of Liva Healthcare, said: “Our work with NHS England and our partnership with AXA PPP is proving how our digital platform is wanted in the UK market.

“With this award, we are now aiming to widen our presence in the UK through building new partnerships and launching new health prevention programmes.”

The company was established in the UK in 2017, having been chosen as one of five technology providers to pilot the digital stream of the NHS Healthier You: Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Earlier this month, Liva Healthcare was announced by NHS England as a digital provider in the national rollout of the programme.

World’s first sleep robot includes app to download soothing sounds

Somnox, the world’s first sleep robot, has begun shipping worldwide.

Somnox was created to help consumers prevail against sleep deprivation and insomnia, sleep better, and live a more healthy, productive life.

The sleep robot, shaped like a pillow, works by using scientifically proven cognitive and simulated human breathing techniques to accelerate the process of falling asleep.

The proprietary technology inside Somnox includes multiple sensors, including a CO2 sensor to detect the user’s breathing and help to regulate it, an accelerometer to detect movement, a speaker to play audio, and an intelligent algorithm to soothe the user to sleep.

It also provides users with soothing audio sounds such as heartbeats, lullabies, white noise and guided meditation, which are included in the accompanying iPhone and Android-compatible Somnox app.

Users also have the option to upload personal audio files to the included SD card. Personal preferences can be set during the day and ensure a tailored approach to improve the user’s sleep during the night.