NHS Tayside has launched a new app in partnership with Inhealthcare to support people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.
The implementation is part of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Pathway from the Scottish Government’s new Modernising Patient Pathways Programme. People are diagnosed within primary care and referred to NHS dietitians who then register them onto the new service.
Through the app users can access trusted information to help them understand and manage their condition. It helps people to track their symptoms over time and identify any changes, and they can also request extra support from dieticians when needed.
It means patients can receive support through digital means immediately and if after four weeks there are no signs of improvement, they can request further support from the dietician.
Jacqueline Walker, Professional Dietetic Advisor to the Scottish Government Modernising Patient Pathways Programme, said: “IBS is a complex condition with many contributing factors, which can include diet, stress and anxiety.”
“We launched this service with Inhealthcare to strengthen self-management, deliver care closer to home and speed up access to clinicians for those with the greatest need.”
Nicola Hutchinson, Advanced Practice Dietitian and Project Lead, said: “We are hoping that our patients see the benefits of this new app very quickly. It is important to provide trusted evidenced-based advice to people as there is a lot of misinformation about IBS on the internet.”
Georgia Nelson, Regional Sales Manager at Inhealthcare, said: “This new service is built around the needs of people with IBS so they can access help and support at a time convenient to them.”
“This empowers individuals as they come to terms with their condition and frees up clinicians to spend time with people who need the most care.”
“The first cohort of people with IBS have been given access to the app. It is hoped the service will be rolled out more widely in the coming months.”
