16.11.18
Breakthrough for GP at Hand app as safety constraints lifted by NHS England
Restrictions on what types of patients are able to register on healthcare provider Babylon’s ‘GP at Hand’ app have been lifted following a review of the service by a London-based CCG.
According to papers being released by Hammersmith and Fulham CCG today, the previous list of conditions including restricting those with complex mental health conditions, people living with dementia, or women who are or may be pregnant, have now been lifted, and these patients are now free to use the service.
In August NHS England blocked plans to expand the smartphone app outside of London due to fears that it may compromise patient safety; at the time, only five practices, all based in London, were registered with the app.
Following today’s review, authored by Dr Phil Koczan, clinical safety officer at NHS England (London region), the safety cases submitted by Babylon and GP at Hand “meets the standards required by the NHS.”
“The DCB 0129 safety cases submitted by Babylon and GP at hand for each of the Babylon technology products used in the GP at hand service have been considered,” the review said.
“These are the artificial intelligence symptom checker, the Babylon clinical portal, and the Babylon HealthCheck service. Each safety case meets the standards required by the NHS and has been completed using a robust assessment methodology to a high standard.”
The GP at Hand app allows patients to speak directly to their GP and make appointments with a practice via their mobile phone – however, in order to use the app, patients must leave their current practice to one that offers the GP at Hand service.
Babylon said it was “delighted” at the findings.
In October the chief inspector of GP services at the CQC said that the health inspectorate will be evaluating the impact that the mobile app will have on overall standards of care.
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