Latest news with #NHSApp
Daily Mirror
16-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Major update to NHS app will let patients join trials of cutting-edge treatments
Patients will have the chance to search for projects on their smartphone, giving them the chance to benefit first from potentially ground-breaking new treatments Millions of people will be able to sign up for life-changing clinical trials using the NHS app. Patients will have the chance to search for projects on their smartphone, giving them the chance to benefit first from potentially ground-breaking new treatments. The move is designed to turbo-charge clinical research to give patients access to cutting edge medicines and speed up development of new treatments. Eventually the NHS app will automatically match patients with studies based on their own health data and interests, sending a notification to someone's phone about relevant new trials. It comes as part of a nationwide push to get more people to sign up to research to develop the medicines of the future. READ MORE: Rachel Reeves pumps cash into NHS with 4million more tests and procedures to cut waits Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'The NHS App will become the digital front door to the NHS, and enable all of us as citizens to play our part in developing the medicines of the future. 'The British people showed they were willing to be part of finding the vaccine for Covid, so why not do it again to cure cancer and dementia?" Adults across the country are being urged to get involved, particularly underrepresented groups including young people, Black people and people of South Asian heritage. NHS trusts will also be ordered to submit data on the number of trials they are doing and progress made. Government investment will be prioritised towards trusts that are performing, the Department of Health said. It takes around 250 days to set up a clinical trial in the NHS, compared to only 100 days in Spain. Ministers are aiming to slash the wait to 150 days or less by March 2026 by cutting unnecessary bureaucracy to create a nationalised standard contract. Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR, said: "We know the benefits of embedding clinical research across the NHS and beyond. "It leads to better care for patients, more opportunities for our workforce and provides a huge economic benefit for our health and care system. "Integrated into the NHS App, the NIHR Be Part of Research service enables members of the public to be matched to vital trials, ensuring the best and latest treatments and care get to the NHS quicker." Dr Vin Diwakar, Clinical Transformation Director at NHS England, said: 'The NHS App is transforming how people manage their healthcare, with new features letting them see their test results or check when prescriptions are ready to collect – all at the tap of a screen. 'We're making it easier to sign up for clinical trials through the NHS App so patients can access new treatments and technologies earlier, improving their quality of care.'
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Signing up for clinical trials to be new feature on NHS App
Browsing and signing up to clinical trials will become a new feature on the NHS App as part of the Government's healthcare plan. Eventually the app will automatically match patients with studies based on their own interests and health data – and send push notifications with relevant new trials, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said. The NIHR's (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Be Part of Research service on the app is part of the Government's 10-year health plan. It takes around 100 days to set up a trial in Spain, but approximately 250 days in the NHS, DHSC said. The department projected the plan will see commercial trial set-up times fall to 150 by March 2026, which it described as 'the most ambitious reduction in trial set-up times in British history'. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'The 10-year plan for health will marry the genius of our country's leading scientific minds, with the care and compassion of our health service, to put NHS patients at the front of the queue for new cutting-edge treatments. 'The NHS App will become the digital front door to the NHS, and enable all of us as citizens to play our part in developing the medicines of the future.' He added: 'The British people showed they were willing to be part of finding the vaccine for Covid, so why not do it again to cure cancer and dementia? 'By slashing through red tape and making it easier for patients to take part, reforms in our 10-year plan will grow our life sciences sector, generate news funds for the NHS to reinvest in frontline care, and benefit patients through better medicines.' The number of trials sponsored by commercial and non-commercial entities at specific NHS trusts, as well as organisations including universities, will be made public. This will reveal which are 'performing well and which are falling behind', DHSC added. Funding for NHS trusts will be prioritised for those who perform the best, DHSC said. The app announcement comes as the NIHR launches a UK-wide clinical trials recruitment drive. Studies are 'too slow' to set up in the UK because of 'unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication of activities across different agencies and sites', DHSC said. Researchers must currently agree separate contracts with each relevant area of the NHS, but the Government has pledged to introduce a 'national standardised contract'. Professor Lucy Chappell, chief scientific adviser at DHSC and chief executive of the NIHR, said: 'Ensuring all sites are consistently meeting the 150-day or less set-up time will bring us to the starting line, but together we aim to go further, faster to ensure the UK is a global destination for clinical research to improve the health and wealth of the nation.' The global clinical trials market is estimated to be worth at least 80 billion dollars (around £59 billion) by 2030, said Professor Andrew Morris, president of the Academy of Medical Sciences, which is a fellowship of leading scientists. Those who are under-represented – including young, black and South Asian people – are particularly encouraged to register for trials, DHSC said. Professor Morris added that the app will 'accelerate the translation of cutting-edge treatments from laboratory to bedside' and that making research accessible to all communities can help 'ensure that medical innovation benefits reach every corner of society.' 'The focus on improving participation from under-represented communities is important, though success will depend on earning trust and addressing the broader barriers to diverse participation', he said. Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer's Society, welcomed the initiative and said it could 'really increase the number and diversity of people taking part in critically-important dementia research'. 'With a growing pipeline of drugs for Alzheimer's disease currently in trials, it's vital programmes like this streamline recruitment so we can ensure these emerging treatments work for everyone,' he added.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
'Inspiring' hospital chaplain dies as tributes paid to 'passionate and compassionate' woman
Reverend Captain Katie Watson has been described as a "unique, inspiring, passionate and compassionate" person who had touched thousands of lives. A popular hospital chaplain died just a month after being discharged from an inpatient mental health ward where she had been "treading water" for months, an inquest heard. Reverend Captain Katie Watson has been described by her partner Dr Emily Watson as a "unique, inspiring, passionate and compassionate" person who had touched thousands of lives. Capt Watson, who was an ordained deacon, appeared in the Channel 4 documentary Geordie Hospital and through her work at the RVI and the Freeman Hospitals she had become a much-loved local figure before her death on September 20 last year. The show, which highlighted work at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital during the later periods of the Covid-19 pandemic, featured her on the wards supporting colleagues and patients, along with welfare dogs Poppy Jingles and Fern. As reported by the Chronicle, acting senior coroner Karin Welsh heard at the inquest how Rev'd Capt Watson's mental health had worsened through 2023 and she had struggled with issues including suicidal ideation. Welsh ruled In her conclusion that Rev'd Capt Watson's death was suicide. In her remarks, however, the coroner added that Rev'd Capt Watson had been absent from work due to her mental health for a period in late 2022, and then again from October 2023 - this latter absence followed a colleague's death. She had also experienced an interpersonal issue at work which contributed to her stress. Welsh also referred to how Rev'd Capt Watson had not had a named psychologist for a seven week period during her time as an inpatient- but said it would be "conjecture" to draw any firm conclusions about the impact this would have had on her discharge from hospital - or when that might have been. Another issue saw details of a discharge letter shared with Rev'd Capt Watson via the NHS App, causing her distress as elements of her "formulation" had not be discussed with her. Welsh also said she could "understand the position that Katie was treading water" when on the ward, rather than making progress with regard to her recovery. She added that issues at work had "clearly caused Katie distress" but added: "In my view these issues were managed appropriately by the trust." The coroner paid tribute to Rev'd Capt Watson, saying: "As an army captain, but then Chaplain Katie had great empathy for those she was involved with at work, where she went above and beyond." She said that "underlying issues" appeared to have come to the fore - and added: "In short, although some elements of her care could have been done differently, it's my view this would not have altered the outcome for Katie. Therefore my conclusion must be one of suicide." Acting senior coroner Welsh added that those she worked with in pathology had spoken highly of Rev'd Capt Watson - and that she was described as "exceptionally helpful" in complex and difficult cases involving the deaths of children. Following the inquest, Dr Watson paid a moving tribute. She said: "Katie was a unique, inspiring, passionate and compassionate person who touched the lives of thousands of people. I am very grateful for the many hundreds of cards and messages I received when she died, and all the stories of how her ministry supported people at some of their darkest times. It is desperately sad that she wasn't able to see for herself how loved she was, and I am sorry that mental health services in their current condition were not able to help her. She is deeply missed by us all." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The inquest earlier evidence both from the psychiatric consultants - employed by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust - who were responsible for Rev'd Capt Watson's care in hospital and in the community. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust joint medical director Dr Michael Wright also gave evidence as to the issues experienced at work. Dr Wright said: "It's of immense concern to me and many others that a member of staff - one of our members of staff most valued by others - clearly at times did not feel that way. We have all reflected as to whether we did all we could to make her feel valued and [to show her] quite how important she was to our organisation. Procedures and processes were followed but does that mean there isn't anything we can learn from this? Absolutely not." He agreed that Revd Capt Watson was a "huge miss" and said work was ongoing to embed an NHS England "toolkit" designed to prevent NHS staff from dying due to suicide. The inquest had heard how her "exceptionally high standards" may have put herself under significant strain, while psychiatrists also referred to her experience of trauma during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic. In court, Dr Watson queried why the trauma that her partner had experienced was not considered a greater factor in her diagnostic "formulation" while an inpatient - which instead focussed on "personality traits" and "emotionally unstable personality disorder". It was an element of this diagnosis was mentioned in a letter that one of Rev'd Capt Watson's consultants had not realised would be uploaded to her NHS App - and this caused her "significant distress" in the weeks prior to her death. However, Dr Faheem Ahmad said the opinion of staff at the inpatient ward during her months-long admission had been that Capt Watson's struggles were focussed around situations at her workplace and her "anger" at those. Dr Rachael Hall spoke in court to say she had not realised this would be the case and had made an urgent effort - accepted by Rev'd Capt Watson, to speak with her, explain the situation and continue their work together. Rev'd Capt Watson's death last autumn saw huge numbers of tributes - including from the senior Church of England Bishop of Newcastle and Northumberland. Right Reverend Dr Helen-Ann Hartley and the Right Reverend Mark Wroe. They said: "It is with a profound sense of sadness and grief that we received the news about Katie, and our first thoughts are with her partner Emily and their children and all who knew and loved Katie. "From her much valued work as a hospital chaplain, which reached beyond the bounds of the North East, to her many colleagues from her past career, and the sporting and running communities she was a part of, to all of us here in the Diocese of Newcastle, we mourn her death with a deep feeling of loss."
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Millions more to get test results via NHS app, government says
The NHS app will become the default method of communication for millions more patients in England and save the health service £200m over the next three years, the government has said. More test results, screening invitations and appointment reminders will be sent directly to smartphones as part of a £50m investment in the app, in a move away from traditional communication methods such as letters. It is estimated that at least 50 million letters are sent to patients each year. The Department of Health and Social Care said that people who cannot access app messaging - including elderly patients - will receive text messages and then a letter as a last resort, and NHS phone lines would be freed up. The department says 270 million messages will be sent through the NHS app this financial year - an increase of 70 million on the previous year. Push notifications will provide appointment reminders to patients to try to reduce the risk of no attendance - with around eight million missed appointments in elective care missed in 2023/24. Work is also under way to enable users of the app to add appointments to their phone calendars and request help from their local GP surgeries. Figures show that more than 11 million people in the UK log into the NHS app every month, while almost 20 million are opted in to receive healthcare messages from the app. It is hoped the changes will give patients better access to manage their healthcare journey and make informed decisions about their care. NHS app services, which were launched in December 2018, are now used in 87% of hospitals across England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said further investment in the app would bring the NHS into the digital age so that being a patient was as "convenient as online banking or ordering a takeaway". He added that moving away from paper communication could free up funding for front line services. Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patient's Association, said the upgrade was a "significant step in modernising how patients receive information". The British Medical Association (BMA) has previously warned that a reliance on apps to the NHS to communicate with patients risked alienating patients who don't have access to digital technology. It followed the government's announcement in January that it planned to allow more patients in England to book treatments and appointments through the app. Last month, NHS England announced millions of patients would be able to get "Amazon-style" tracking updates on their prescriptions through the app, to check if their medicines are ready to collect or have been despatched for delivery. New app trial cuts skin cancer referrals by 50% NHS App upgrade to give patients more choice over treatment Patients to get full access to record on NHS App
South Wales Guardian
07-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
NHS app to become default source for appointments, screenings and test results
Millions more people will receive personal health information directly to their smartphones within the next three years in a move that is expected to save the health service £200 million, the Department of Health and Social Care said. It will also avoid the need for at least 50 million NHS letters being sent by post each year, with the Health Secretary likening the shift from analogue to digital to 'online banking or ordering a takeaway'. The £50 million investment will see 270 million messages sent through the NHS app this year, an increase of 70 million on the previous financial year. Push notifications will provide appointment reminders to patients to try to reduce the risk of no attendance, with around eight million missed appointments in elective care missed in 2023/24. 📱 Do you have your NHS App notifications on? 📩 To help patients, over 160 million messages were sent via the NHS App in the last year. ✅ Turn notifications on to get the most out of your NHS App. Learn more: — Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) June 7, 2025 More than 11 million people in the UK currently log into the NHS app every month, while almost 20 million are opted in to receive healthcare messages from the app. Where app messaging is not available, particularly for elderly patients without smartphones, communications will be sent via text message and then by letter as a last resort and phone lines will be freed up. It is hoped the changes will give patients better access to manage their healthcare journey and make informed decisions about their care. NHS app services, which were launched in December 2018, are now used in 87% of hospitals across England. Last month, NHS England announced millions of patients would be able to get 'Amazon-style' tracking updates on their prescriptions through the app, to check if their medicines are ready to collect or have been despatched for delivery. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'People are living increasingly busy lives and want to access information about their health at the touch of a button, rather than having to wait weeks for letters that often arrive too late. 'This Government is bringing our analogue health service into the digital age, so that being a patient in the NHS is as convenient as online banking or ordering a takeaway. 'The NHS still spends hundreds of millions of pounds on stamps, printing, and envelopes. By modernising the health service, we can free up huge amounts of funding to reinvest in the front line. 'Through the investment and reform in our Plan for Change, we will make the NHS App the front door to the health service and put power in the hands of patients.' Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patient's Association, said: 'This major upgrade to the NHS App marks a significant step in modernising how patients receive information, from test results to screening invitations. 'This was a recommendation from our Digital Coalition and realises changes that patients have asked for. 'We welcome this investment and the ambition behind it. Success for any digital innovation will be the implementation of the Digital Inclusion Plan and working directly with patients and communities.'
