Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) has created a new local apps library for patients, in partnership with ORCHA (the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications).
The Health and Wellbeing App Library is a joint effort from both organisations to provide patients with a resource where they can search and compare health-related apps for free, to ensure they find the correct one for their needs.
Intended to complement existing services, the apps can support patients with a range of requirements – such as managing long-term health conditions or improving general wellbeing. Sections available on the site include ‘top rated’, ‘most popular’, and ‘best new’ apps in a range of areas, including categories for COVID, addictions, sexual and mental health, eating disorders, women’s health and musculoskeletal conditions.
All apps available to browse through the library – which can be accessed through a simple search bar function – have been expertly and independently assessed for quality and safety, through the partnership with ORCHA, which aims to help patients to discover which ones are ‘appropriate, trustworthy and effective’.
According to CNWL, the apps are assessed by ORCHA against a ‘large number of stringent criteria in areas’, including ‘clinical/professional assurance, data and privacy, and usability and accessibility’ – with each app given an ‘easy to understand percentage score’ that can help users to decide whether to download it.
The new digital library will also provide CNWL staff with the ability to recommend apps to patients during consultations, where appropriate, and a video is included on the homepage to help users understand how the ORCHA review process works.
To find out more, visit the new online app library.
