Southern Health creates directory app

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust has launched a directory app to give patients and GPs information on local health services.

The free smartphone app, which works on both iPhone and Android devices, gives patients information on which services are available, opening hours and how to be referred.

Dr Martyn Diaper, medical director for Southern Health, and a practicing Hampshire GP said he hopes GPs will be able to use it as a reference guide when referring patients.

“Technology has an increasingly important role to play in how we deliver care in the NHS. At Southern Health we want to make it easier for patients to learn about and access our services,” he said.

“For GPs we hope the app will become an indispensable reference when reviewing a patient’s care, whether in the surgery or in a patient’s home.”

The app has a built in location device which highlights services in the immediate area. Southern Health also hopes it will help doctors by providing information on how to refer patients into the trust’s services.

For clinicians it can act like a secure calendar and planner, and also lets users receive push notifications with the latest news from the trust.

It was developed by SmartGP, which provides an information system for GPs, primary care staff and clinical commissioners.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust created a similar app last year which gives GPs up-to-date details about services in the area.

Southern Health chose Servelec Healthcare for its RiO electronic patient record system in May this year. The trust aims for a spring 2015 go-live.