West Yorkshire ICB is to launch a support app for its 250,000 unpaid carers to help streamline care processes.
The app, launching early next year, will enable carers to access and manage health and care information from the app, including uploading household bills, medication and legal files.
Unpaid carers will be able to invite others into their ‘circle of care’, such as family members or other carers and volunteers, and communicate and share information via the app.
It will be available on both iPhone and Android phones and will integrate with devices such as Fitbit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa to control and monitor alerts such as heart rate, blood pressure and room temperature remotely.
The app, developed by Care Networx, also has a built-in contingency plan function which will link to the Yorkshire and Humber Care Record and allow health professionals to enact contingency plans in the absence of the carer.
Kulvant Sandhu, senior programme manager 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. We plan to coproduce the content with carers and aim to launch in early 2025.’
Alexis Twigg, founder of Care Networx, added: ‘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.’
It comes as 1,400 libraries are now helping patients access the NHS App as part of a national health literacy partnership.
