Free mental health app available to 1 million South Yorkshire NHS users

An emotional wellness app is being offered to over 16s in the UK's South Yorkshire for free, to help manage low moods, reduce stress and improve sleep.

The myStrength app has been commissioned by the South Yorkshire Integrated Care System (ICS) and is being delivered by Consultant Connect, part of the Teladoc Group.

Users are asked questions to personalise their experience and recommended mindfulness and meditation programmes based on evidenced-based models of psychological therapy. 

Jonathan Patrick, CEO, Consultant Connect, said: “South Yorkshire ICS should be applauded for this brilliant initiative, and everyone should take advantage of it.”

Dutch startup begins study on digital therapy for chronic intestinal disorders

Digital healthcare startup Nori Health has announced the pilot phase of a clinical trial of its digital therapy programme.

The study, called ADJUVANT, focuses on people living with chronic intestinal disorders, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, who will take part in a six-week coaching programme through the Nori Health app.

It is being conducted in The Netherlands in collaboration with the Healthcare Innovation Centre (THINC) at the Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg and the Radboudumc hospital in Nijmegen.

Roeland Pater, founder and CEO, Nori Health said: “We see a great future for value-driven care in which digital applications play an important role in addition to traditional treatment.”

Healthcare concierge service launched for UAE residents

UAE insurance marketplace Policybazaar.ae and GuideMeDoc have partnered to launch a ‘healthcare concierge service’. 

The platform allows users to search for health insurance, book appointments with doctors, and liaise with hospitals and clinics about procedures. 

Neeraj Gupta, CEO Policybazaar.ae said: “We strongly believe that our relationship will drive innovation and quality customer experience, ensuring that customers receive seamless quality healthcare services, right when they need it without any hassle.”

Dr Gulshan Vijayshankar, cofounder, GuideMeDoc said: “Our team of experienced healthcare professionals will provide a personal touch to develop a strategic relationship that will ensure to take digital health services a step further in the UAE.”

Regional UK LIMS contract awarded to Citadel Health

A contract for implementation of a new Laboratory Information Management System 

(LIMS) across NHS pathology services in Lancashire & South Cumbria has been awarded to Citadel Health. 

The Evolution vLab LIMS will replace the four standalone systems currently used across eight hospital sites, cutting costs and providing a common platform that will link all the laboratories together.

Professor Anthony Rowbottom, clinical director, Lancashire & South Cumbria Pathology Service said: “This really takes us into the next level of technological advancement and will support our future aspirations for utilising machine learning and artificial intelligence. It will also support the transition that we are planning to near patient testing and future wearable technology.”

Join Social Care reaches 100,000 candidates on platform, 12% market share

Care sector digital recruitment platform Join Social Care has announced that it has reached 100,000 candidates on its site. 

Join Social Care reports that almost 60% of its candidate audience is new to the sector, indicating how it is positively impacting the sector’s supply challenge.

Martin Warnes, director, Join Social Care, said: “When we launched Join Social Care at the height of the pandemic, the sector was crying out for talented and committed people to undertake crucial, rewarding work. Over the last two years, the need for carers has continued to rise, and we’re delighted that our innovative approach and technology is attracting young and experienced talent to the sector.”