Member Article

Manchester NHS patients to go digital

Manchester NHS centres have teamed up with creative social enterprise SharpFutures to digitalise budget planning through a tablet application.

Tenants and apprentices based at East Manchester’s digital content hub The Sharp Project worked on the scheme, which will see the city’s Personal Health Budget take on a digital dimension.

TouchSoft Ltd, who are based at The Sharp Project, worked alongside SharpFutures to support Manchester’s clinical Commissioning Groups to create the application for patients and carers.

The app is designed to help patients with long term health problems to manage their budget without the need for paper forms, which they may struggle with because of their conditions.

When the app is launched, patients will be able to use a tablet application to film or record themselves answering questions which will help to plan their care budgets.

Personal health budget lead Matthew Fairhurst said: “It is early days but we are really excited by the new digital element to the project.

“Detailed calculations and thorough responses are required from the patients and carers before we can provide them with their own funds and filling in forms can often be a hurdle.

“We therefore came up with the idea of a support planning app designed to ease the process whilst making the system more robust.”

SharpFutures said it hopes that, in addition to the impact on patients’ lives, the valuable social impact will also be felt.

SharpFutures director, Rose Marley, commented: “The Clinical Commissioning Groups’ relationship with The Sharp Project means they can use of one of the most cutting-edge digital resources in the North West for their app.

“SharpFutures also supports young talent development by working with apprentices. This has considerable social and economic impact when it comes to creating employment opportunities for young people in Manchester.”

The software will be available to patients taking part in a trial by August.

Richard Wylie, director of Touchsoft, commented: “TouchSoft are delighted to be working in partnership with Manchester Clinical Commissioning Groups and SharpFutures on this project.

“We’re looking forward to the application making a real difference in the quality of care offered to patients.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .