HSE awards funding for Innovate Health chronic pancreatitis app

Innovate Health at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) in Dublin has secured funding of more than €300,000 for four projects, including an app for patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Part of the funding from the Irish Health Service Executive’s (HSE) Spark Impact innovation fund will be used to carry out a digitally enabled review of the Smart CP app and develop it further for patients.

Research by  TUH has shown that Ireland has among the highest numbers in Europe of those suffering from chronic pancreatitis.

The condition is marked by long-term inflammation of the pancreas, causing gastrointestinal symptoms, weight loss and malnutrition, and leading to progressive damage over time.

The Smart CP app for patients with chronic pancreatitis aims to empower patients to take control of their condition by giving patients reminders, providing educational content and allowing them to flag worsening symptoms so that suitable interventions can be applied earlier.

It is one of four projects that will share the funding along with an integrated hand and wrist clinic, a personalised medicines approach for patients at risk of stroke, and a prehabilitation programme for patients undergoing elective surgery.

Lucy Nugent, chief executive at TUH, said: “There has been exponential growth in the culture and awareness of innovation in TUH in recent years which is evident from the calibre of projects awarded funding.

“This would not be possible without the continued support from funders and other groups of professionals both internal and external to our hospital.

“Their support is much appreciated as we all try to find better ways to treat and care for our patients. The mission of Innovate Health at TUH continues to be that we innovate because lives depend on it”.

In May 2024, the HSE launched a framework setting out how to digitally transform health services in the country, including plans to roll out a patient app and national shared care record.

Meanwhile, Children’s Health Ireland has announced that it is working with data technology provider InterSystems to implement an interoperability platform at the new digital children’s hospital in Dublin, which is currently under construction.