NHS IT, Records and Data

Health Foundation welcomes contract tracing app, advocates testing among different populations

News of the NHS launching the trial of its newest contact tracing app has been welcomed by the Health Foundation, but the organisation has also stressed the importance in the Government testing the app among different population to ensure it works for the hardest hit groups.

With data showing evidence of coronavirus disproportionately affecting older people, those from BAME communities and those living in poorer socioeconomic areas, the Government must ensure the redesigned app is easy to use for people from these groups.

The Health Foundation have called on government to ensure trials of the app are properly evaluated and the findings shared openly.

Ultimately, the success or failure of the contact tracing app will be decided by whether it can increase the proportion of contacts which are traced by the Test and Trace service. Currently, only 79% of people contacted by NHS Test and Trace are able to give information about their contacts, of which only 75% of which can then be reached.

Adam Steventon, Director of Data Analytics at the Health Foundation, said: “Contact tracing apps have the potential to play a critical role in fighting the spread of coronavirus, and it is vitally important that this technology, and the wider test and trace system, are fit for purpose ahead of the winter. COVID-19 is taking a disproportionate toll on older people, people from specific black and minority ethnic groups and those who live in poorer areas. The government must ensure the redesigned app works for these hardest hit groups.

“Testing the app among different populations is an important step. The inclusion of the London Borough of Newham in the trial is very welcome. It is one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the country, has a high population density and has significant areas of deprivation. Hopefully this trial will go some way to improving confidence among those people hardest hit by the pandemic that the app will help protect them and their communities.

“Evaluation is critical not only for building confidence in the app and the trials, but also for understanding and addressing the risk of unequal impact. False alerts might impact more severely on certain populations, for example those unable to work from home.

“The inclusion of Newham, which has been among the worst affected regions in the country, will be a critical test for the app and will help to understand how well the app works for people living in a densely populated urban area where options to reduce their exposure might be limited, for example due to overcrowded housing.”