Enhancing community care through digital innovation in the South West of England
In the South West, we are exploring how technology can support patient care, including everything from preventing admissions to hospital to helping patients manage and monitor their long term conditions.
Empowering patients to take control of their healthcare
The effective use of digital technology in the community relies on empowering patients to fully understand, feel confident and willing to participate in decisions around their health.
This starts with educating patients on their conditions and providing them with the knowledge and training needed to help them look after their own wellbeing through interactive self-management tools.
How digital interventions can support patient activation
These digital platforms will be designed to allow the patient to take control of their health, monitor progress and communicate with their providers digitally, helping mitigate the need for further trips to the hospital. Additionally, symptom alerts and rapid recognition of conditions identified through the platform will help lead to early treatment and management.
These tools will also be used to support patients going through pre-op preparation, reminding them about essential information like when they’re allowed to eat, in turn, reducing surgery cancellations in an already stretched NHS service.
The ambition is to have all communications centrally located and integrated into the patient record, so it doesn’t matter where the patient seeks healthcare support – everyone has the most up to date information.
We’re hoping our work in the South West will demonstrate how digital technology can support patient empowerment and drive efficiencies within the NHS.