Mobile health and apps news in brief

Our latest mobile health and apps round-up features news that a survey by Roche Products Ltd has revealed there is an appetite for the NHS App and the positive impact it could have on patient outcomes. Elsewhere, a number of Twitter users have called for developers to create a ‘pregnancy mode’ in health apps.

Roche survey suggests appetite for NHS technology

A report has suggested that nearly one in three people believe that an NHS App, along with other new technologies, will have a positive impact in the health service.

Entitled ‘NHS at 100: aspirations for the future of healthcare in England’, the document highlights public expectations for the NHS in 30 years’ time.

The findings of the report, which was developed by Roche Products Ltd, reveals that nearly one in three people (28%) surveyed believe that an NHS App will have a positive impact on patient outcomes in the future.

A quarter of those questioned, however, thought data sharing between NHS trusts and hospitals to allow for a paperless connected system was the innovation to be most excited about.

Tony Young, national clinical lead for innovation at NHS England, said: “This research tell us there is a real appetite from users of the NHS, of all ages, to embrace and adopt the many new and exciting technologies that have the potential to improve the way healthcare is delivered, whilst staying true to the values and principles it was built on.

Mum’s the word with new Bupa maternity app

Bupa Global has launched a maternity app for customers to help expectant parents access to help and information.

Bupa Due Date Plus features a personalised pregnancy plan, week-by-week updates, a due date calculator, weight gain tracker, baby-kick counter, and an issues and symptoms checker.

Patrick Watt, commercial director Europe at Bupa Global, said: “Businesses everywhere are increasingly engaged with employee health and wellbeing, but formalised maternity support is relatively limited.

“Offering the Bupa Due Date Plus app is one way that businesses can support pregnant employees in a way that benefits mother, baby and the rest of the workforce.”

Twitter users call for ‘pregnancy mode’ in health apps

A number of Twitter users are calling for developers to create a ‘pregnancy mode’ in health apps.

Swapna Krishna highlighted the problem on Twitter, after she discovered that her workout apps did not take pregnancy into account.

She said: “Hey tech developers: It’d be really nice if you put a ‘pregnancy mode’ in your weight/training/workout etc. apps. I’m getting really tired of my smart scale and exercise apps yelling at me for weight gain/decreased activity.”

Her tweet attracted a lot of interested from other users who expressed having the same problem.

Krishna added: “I’m not talking about small developers either. My Apple Watch is reminding me daily about my fitness goals. I was meeting them until about two weeks ago, now it’s a lot more difficult. No way to pause the notifications, I have to turn them off entirely.”

Dementia care technology introduced at north London hospital

An interactive light game for those living with mid-to-late stage dementia has been introduced at Finchley Memorial Hospital.

The Tovertafel, or ‘Magic Table’, has been designed to stimulate physical activity and interactivity with others.

The games are projected onto a table and can be played independently or with friends, family members and carers.

Dementia Club UK, which hosts weekly sessions at the hospital, donated the technology, which was developed by social enterprise company, Shift.

Lisa Rutter, chairman and founder of Dementia Club UK, said: “Giving those living with dementia something to look forward to and new innovations such as the Tovertafel makes a huge difference to their lives. I have seen people with progressed dementia and when they sit at the Tovertafel table their face suddenly lights up with joy and they start to interact by trying to reach and touch the projected animations.

“Dementia Club UK is delighted to be working together with partner organisations to promote the Tovertafel in the community.”

Totally online physiotherapy service launched

An online physiotherapy service has been launched.

Developed in conjunction with physiotherapists and doctors, the Reach app has been approved as a medical device in the EU and allows users to self-manage their neck pain.

Following a 10-minute online assessment, users are presented five minutes later with a program of easy to follow video exercises tailored specifically to the user’s recovery.

Fully qualified physiotherapists, which are contactable via the app or by email or phone, review workout feedback and monitor progress to help users stay on track and evolve and personalise exercises accordingly.

Users can choose from a daily quick six minute or full 15-minute workout or give themselves an extra push by doing both.