NHS: Mobile Apps to Navigate the Health Services

Going to see your GP can be a long and tiresome process. Booking appointments, monitoring your symptoms and waiting in line quickly become frustrating.  A new wave of start-ups have started using smart phone technology to tackle these problems and make your health experience smoother. Here are five of our favourite apps for making it easier to deal with the NHS.

Babylon Health

Babylon Health is a consumer-focused app that allows patients to connect with doctors by using machine learning. Enter your symptoms, upload a photo and it will connect you with a doctor by phone or video-call at a time that suits you.

This app helps both doctors and patients to save time and energy. If you are feeling on edge, a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence is always available to answer medical questions.

One of Babylon Health’s best features is that you can have prescriptions delivered to your nearest pharmacy rather than having to book an appointment and go to see your local GP.

Babylon Health is free and works directly with the NHS but you will be charged when talking to a GP. More details here:  https://www.babylonhealth.com

Echo

This is an app that allows you to reorder prescriptions to be delivered straight to your door.

Echo works with NHS Digital, so you only need to enter the prescription you need and the name of your local GP, then Echo will verify the information and have it delivered to your door by first class Royal Mail for FREE.

They’ve thought of everything: reminders for when to take your medicine, visit the GP, or reorder when your prescription is about to run out. The amazing part is that it’s all free thanks to co-founder Stephen Bourke, who takes a cut from the pharmacies rather than the patients.

Health Unlocked

Sometimes it helps to talk to other patients. Health Unlocked is a platform and online community where people can share their health-related experiences and ask for advice, support and solutions.

You certainly should join Health Unlocked if you’re the sort of person whose first reflex is to google your own symptoms. Instead of convincing yourself that you are about to die you can start off by getting advice from people who have experienced similar symptoms.

Some of the most popular groups are those dealing with anxiety and stress, and smokers looking to quit.

Join Health Unlocked here: http://healthunlocked.com

Patients Know Best

Patients Know Best is an app empowering patients by giving them access to their full medical history and records. The good thing about it is that it will collect information from all your different doctors, and help you keep track of everything to do with your health.

It will provide you with lab results, reports and virtual follow-ups. You can even share your care plans with everyone connected to the app.  It’s one of the most secure health platforms on the market and it’s free. It has been approved by the NHS and you can use it on your laptop, phone or tablet 24/7. Get Patients Know Best here: https://www.patientsknowbest.com/

 

 

Cove

Cove is a little more alternative. Now being tested by the NHS, it acts as a mood journal that allows you to create music to match your mood and help you express how you feel. Instead of using words, create a musical journey that shows you all your ups and downs.

You can even share it with others if you feel like you need some support. While some may find it all a bit odd, the people behind Cove believe it is a form of expressive therapy, and many agree that it is sometimes difficult to express your emotions in words. With Cove, you just grab your iPhone and start making music.

Choose from six different moods and easily add or remove sound effects. You will probably feel better and you can always add little notes or tags if you really have created a masterpiece. Get Cove here: http://www.cove-app.com/

 

 

by Kamelia Gantcheva

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