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NHSX to fund digital technology enabling people to receive care at home

Half a million people will benefit from digital projects to support those with long-term conditions

8th October 2021 about a 2 minute read
“Through our Digital Health Partnership Award, these organisations will have access to the expertise and support they need to adopt or expand their digital capabilities safely and effectively.” Tara Donnelly, chief digital officer at NHSX

NHSX, the government body driving the digital transformation of health and social care, is to fund 14 new projects that will help half a million people receive care at home using digital technology.

The varied projects include remote cardiac rehabilitation services, surgical self-management, and parental support services for families of children with eating disorders. All are winners of the first phase of the Digital Health Partnership Award, announced at the recent Healthcare Excellence Through Technology (HETT) Show 2021.

The aim of the Partnership Award is to support projects that will help NHS organisations in England adopt digital health technologies to help patients with long-term conditions. Organisations applying for the award need to provide evidence of their impact and efficacy.

South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw ICS, for example, will be offering remote monitoring to heart patients. Patients will be able to use devices such as blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters to take physiological measurements, reducing the need to see clinicians face-to-face.

Some of the projects build on existing services. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, for example, is expanding its secure video service that enables patients, carers and doctors to share seizure videos across their neurology service.

Remote support for patients with chronic conditions

Another award winner, One Health Lewisham, is helping to monitor patients with hypertension, using a messaging app. Automated questions are sent to patients, and the answers, along with the patients’ medical records, are sent to clinicians to help them make treatment decisions. This will be extended to support patients with other conditions, such as diabetes, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

Rhod Joyce, deputy director of innovation development at NHSX, described the 14 winners as “fantastic and innovative examples from across the health sector of how the latest in digital technology has the potential to enhance patient care and also support frontline staff.”

Tara Donnelly, chief digital officer at NHSX, said: “Through our Digital Health Partnership Award, these organisations will have access to the expertise and support they need to adopt or expand their digital capabilities safely and effectively, allowing many more patients with long term conditions to receive their care from the comfort of their homes rather than always having to attend primary and acute settings.”

The Digital Health Partnership Award has two phases, with the second phase opening for bids in November.