The NHS is inviting developers to submit their digital healthcare applications for inclusion in its Apps Library, in an effort to expand its capabilities as a one-stop-shop for patients.
The Apps Library offers a catalogue of approved, trusted tools to help NHS patients digitally manage their healthcare. The project is currently in public beta and NHS Digital has appointed mobile health app specialist Our Mobile Health to help expand the number of available apps, which currently sits at 46.
Our Mobile Health will assess the suitability of submitted digital healthcare apps, based on how well they meet the clinical, technical and safety standards set by the NHS. The company was selected for the role through the G-cloud 9 framework.
"This agreement with Our Mobile Health is part of our ongoing commitment to setting national standards and helping patients and citizens better manage their health," said NHS Digital programme director, Hazel Jones. "Patients can be confident that the apps they are using are safe and trusted. We are looking forward to working with Our Mobile Health in developing that process."
"In the future we hope to invite more third-party assessors to work with us on the assessment procedure and develop and speed up the system so that we can improve the array of apps featured on the Library. This is an exciting opportunity for the many developers out there that come from all sections of the market to put forward their apps for assessment."
"Digital technology is now a part of all our lives and in the NHS we want to harness the advantages of digital to improve services and empower patients to take control of their own health," said NHS England chief digital officer Juliet Bauer.
"Through this partnership with Our Mobile Health, the NHS Apps Library will grow, providing the public with even more NHS and recommended apps they can use to manage their health and well-being. Apps can provide a real insight into patients' conditions, enabling clinicians to deliver better, more relevant treatment and give patients more control over their care."
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