Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP) has launched a new app library, which focuses on people’s mental health and wellbeing.
The new digital service, created in in partnership with ORCHA (the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps), aims to enable quicker and easier access to safe, accredited apps.
The portal, Health Apps, also hopes to provide useful information on health and wellbeing, as well as support users to live ‘healthier and happier’ lives. Users can find apps on everything from healthy eating and help to stop smoking through to exercises, stress management and cancer support.
ORCHA’s role is to perform an independent advisory service and assessment of health and medical apps, with each one going through a detailed seven-step review stage that includes looking at areas such as data privacy, clinical assurance and user experience.
The new SABP apps portal features a simple search function that allows users to prioritise COVID-19 related support apps, as well as add other detailed filters. These include disease and condition categories, functions and features such as wellbeing tracking, who the app is designed for, country of origin, cost (if any) and the platform required for use.
Search results return the ORCHA rating and level alongside apps for clarity, with more detailed summaries and image galleries also available for each.
Through the homepage there’s also the option to locate support via the top-rated apps for specific conditions and feelings such as low mood and anxiety. While the new and highest rated apps are also displayed for easy navigation.
The launch comes after SABP recently published its new digital strategy, which included an emphasis on empowering patients and modernising digital services.
