GPs to 'prescribe' apps for patients

People could soon be directed to free or cheap apps by their GPs to allow them to monitor and manage their health more effectively. It is expected to help patients to find and use NHS services and manage conditions.

It follows a call to find the best new ideas and existing smartphone apps that help people and doctors better manage care which received nearly 500 entries and over 12,600 votes and comments.

The most popular app ideas were to:

• help manage long-term conditions like diabetes
• help people deal with post-traumatic stress
  
• track and monitor things like blood pressure
• help people find NHS services on a map
• get practical information about keeping fit and eating healthily
  

Popular apps include ‘Patients Know Best’, where each patient gets all their records from all their clinicians and controls who gets access to them. Patients can have online consultations with any member of their clinical team, receive automated explanations of their results, and work with clinicians for a personalised care plan.

The Government is in the process of developing an Information Strategy to ensure that patients and clinicians have access to meaningful and up-to-date information. The strategy is expected to be published in the Spring.

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