Health Innovation Oxford & Thames Valley (Oxford HIN) is to collaborate with Otsuka to evaluate the real-world implementation of a therapeutic smartphone app designed to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), with gathered insights to inform the expansion of access to the app across the UK and NHS.
A regulated medical device delivered as a smartphone app, Care for MDD incorporates a cognitive emotional training method alongside cognitive behavioural therapy lessons and personalised SMS notifications with the aim of supporting patients living with MDD.
The pilot will initially run across four primary care sites, with additional sites under discussion. Feedback is to be evaluated from both patients and healthcare practitioners to support the future optimisation of digital therapeutics integration and improve access and adoption in health settings.
GP Tim Cooper commented that around one in four presentations to primary care relate to mental health, “yet there remain many barriers to accessing rapid high quality mental health care. With primary care facing increasing demand it’s exciting to be part of the team exploring the potential of digital therapeutics to offer an additional support option for patients and clinicians.”
Spotlight on digital mental health interventions
Earlier this year, we looked at research commissioned by the MHRA and NICE, which explored attitudes and experiences of current and potential users of digital mental health technology, aiming to inform the design of future regulatory and evaluation frameworks.
For a HTN Now webinar in June, we were joined by members of the NHS England Blueprinting Programme to explore good practice around implementing digital healthcare solutions, with a case study from the Support Hope and Recovery Online Network (SHaRON) programme, which offers online mental health support.
Taking a look at developments in digital mental health at a regional level, Norfolk and Waveney ICB recently opened a £1.17 million opportunity for its children and young people’s mental health digital offer, which would enable young people to access self-help, information, guidance, and support.
Elsewhere, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust has also been looking to redesign its mental health crisis referral pathways, working with the national Clinically-Led workforce and Activity Redesign (CLEAR) team to focus on developing new ways of working, workforce redesign, and improved staff experience.
