NHS Digital is encouraging developers to submit an application for the NHS Apps Library. Developers can submit their applicationss here and then be assessed to see if they meet published criteria.
NHS Digital and NHS England are enhancing the Apps Library to make it the go-to place for patients to access safe and effective digital tools. The Apps Library, which is currently in public beta or test version, helps patients navigate the many digital healthcare tools available, providing trusted digital tools for patients and citizens to manage and improve their health and well-being.
Our Mobile Health has recently been appointed to work alongside NHS Digital to assess digital healthcare apps for inclusion on the NHS Apps Library. They will ensure apps meet NHS technical, clinical and safety standards, and help connect people to the information and services they need easily and effectively.
Hazel Jones, Programme Director at NHS Digital, said: “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. 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. Being featured on the library is not only a great bonus for developers but it also helps CCGs and patients who will have the reassurance that the apps featured are evidence-based and result in positive patient outcomes.”
The Apps Library currently contains 46 apps to help patients manage a variety of conditions such as diabetes, mental health, COPD with the latest one to be added promoting mindfulness to support improved mental health.
