NHS West Yorkshire ICB to launch support app for unpaid carers

A new care management app will be made available to 250,000 unpaid carers in West Yorkshire following an agreement between NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and technology company Care Networx.

The Care Networx app will be available on iPhone and Android devices early in 2025 for unpaid carers across Bradford District and Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield District. 

It is designed to provide support services to individuals responsible for the care of another person, including the ability to access and manage health records, prescriptions, appointments, bills and important documents. 

The app also integrates with wearable and home devices like Fitbit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa, allowing users to control and monitor alerts such as heart rate, blood pressure and room temperature remotely.

Kulvant Sandhu, senior programme manager for Unpaid Carers, Personalisation & PEoLC at West Yorkshire ICB said: “We are committed to continue to support unpaid carers across West Yorkshire with an aspiration to be a region where carers are recognised and given the support they need to manage their caring roles. 

“The development of this carers app and digital contingency plan, which will link to carers’ NHS records, part of The NHS Long Term plan, will benefit many carers in our region.”

Care Networx users can invite other family members, carers and volunteers into their “circle of care” to share responsibilities and important information. 

The app includes a Contingency Plan function that has been uniquely developed for West Yorkshire ICB, which links to the Yorkshire and Humber Care Record and enables professionals to enact contingency plans in the unexpected absence of the carer. 

Care Networx was part of the 2022 Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber Propel@YH digital accelerator programme, which it said helped to “form the bridge” to winning the contract with NHS West Yorkshire ICB.

Alexis Twigg, founder of Care Networx, said: “As someone who has first-hand experience as an unpaid carer, developing the carers app is more than just a passion project – it is a necessity.

“Think WhatsApp, DropBox and many other permission-based collaboration platforms all in one that empowers unpaid carers with the digital tools to support a loved one, that promotes proactive care by default, and reduces stress and anxiety for all concerned- enabling access to information at the touch of a few buttons.

“Winning the contract with West Yorkshire ICB with the support of 6b Digital, a technology consultancy, means more carers in the region will now benefit from the app. We hope that other ICBs and areas follow in the footsteps of West Yorkshire, working with us to bring proactive care technology to their regions.”

A white paper published in September 2024 by homecare technology company Birdie called for more national support for the UK’s estimated five million unpaid carers, whose care is valued at £162 billion,