The AHSN Network has supported many innovators to help advance our health and care system. Find out more about successful innovations supported by the NHS.
Built with and for clinicians, Malinko is the world’s first clinical e-scheduling system for the delivery of clinical services in the community. Designed to complement EPR systems, Malinko is already helping 15 NHS organisations and local authorities to improve scheduling and management of their distributed workforce (capacity) and patient needs (demand) in a community setting - improving productivity, service delivery, staff safety and patient outcomes whilst reducing clinical risk and the cost of delivering community services.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the world’s number one killer, accounting for 15% of UK deaths in 2019¹. HeartFlow FFRCT analysis provides clinicians with a more efficient pathway for diagnosing CHD that combines simulation models and medical imaging data.
Pre-eclampsia (PE) affects approximately 3% of all pregnancies and is a serious cause of maternal and foetal morbidity. There is no definitive test to help diagnose PE and the only 'cure' is delivery of the baby. High suspicion for the disease and a low threshold for admission places a considerable unnecessary burden on the system, something that PlGF based testing aims to alleviate.
The Meru Health therapy programme is a structured 12-week remote therapy programme for the treatment of depression, anxiety and burnout. The treatment combines evidence-based exercises and content with continuous support from a personal, licensed therapist, as well as an HRV biofeedback function.
patientMpower remote monitoring technology (RMT) is currently supporting 2,000+ respiratory disease patients to monitor and manage their condition from home. Clinical studies show patientMpower improves patient well-being and aids achievement of exercise goals and the use of remote spirometry and e-health journals is feasible and acceptable for patients. 2021 studies will measure the health economic benefits of RMT in NHS outpatient folllow-up care.
GammaCore is a simple-to-use, handheld medical device that enables patients to self-administer discrete doses of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) therapy to the neck.
A happier workforce leads to better patient outcomes and improved performance. ImproveWell is a digital solution for staff engagement and collaboration, improving quality in healthcare. Together, its three feedback systems boost staff morale and empower the frontline to drive change. 24/7 everyone can: suggest ideas for improvement; share how their day at work is going; and complete pulse surveys. An intelligent dashboard helps programme leads to capture real-time data, track workforce sentiment, prioritise quality improvement efforts, and publish reports completing the feedback loop.
REACH-HF (Rehabilitation EnAblement in CHronic Heart Failure) is a facilitated evidence based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and self-management programme for use at home. It comprises the ‘heart failure manual’, a relaxation CD, a choice of exercise (walking programme or a chair-based DVD) a 'progress tracker' for patients, and a ‘family and friends resource’ for caregivers.
MetaGuideX is a diagnostic research company that has developed an accurate, fast, non-invasive diagnostic for predicting metastasis (spread of cancer cells) with high specificity and sensitivity. With this tool, they aim to redefine the cancer care pathway. The tool is designed to be used alongside existing standard investigation methods to reduce the need for lymph node biopsies, saving the patient from unneeded procedures and the NHS money.
NHS staff have been under significant pressure during the Covid-19 pandemic with many managers working at home. At a time when internal comms and employee engagement has never been more important, it can be challenging to keep staff supported and updated. Now many trusts are starting to be creative about their colleague engagement. Whether you want to give staff live updates on infection prevention or information about health and wellbeing initiatives in the Trust, this app can help.
Working with the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC), the AHSN Network is rolling out FeNO testing to help improve the diagnosis of asthma. FeNO (Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide) testing alongside the recommended NICE diagnostic tests, will help enable more accurate diagnosis. Over 120,000 patients a year, 30% of the asthma population, are wrongly diagnosed and given inappropriate medication. This innovation aims to reduce the use of steroids and improve diagnosis, enabling correct adjustments or the right medication to be prescribed. FeNO is indicative of the severity of airway inflammation.
Less than 50% of severe asthma patients have eosinophil-driven disease (Wenzel 2005) and Biologics are designed to control the number of eosinophil cells (Asthma UK). Only 10.8% of eligible severe asthma patients have access to biologic medicines today in the UK. Increasing the use of biologics appropriately would reduce use of Oral corticosteroids (OCS), associated with negative side effects, and exacerbations, causing 75,000 annual UK hospital admissions, each costing £1500.
