NHSX is to offer devices to thousands of patients which will allow them to monitor their blood pressure at home and send readings to their GP via phone, email or digital platforms.
NHSX has purchased 220,000 devices which are being sent to people diagnosed with uncontrolled high blood pressure. Regular blood pressure checks will help to note any significant changes before a potentially deadly stroke or heart attack strikes.
The initiative supports the NHS Long Term Plan which aims to prevent up to 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases over the next 10 years. By enabling patients to monitor their blood pressure at home, NHSX estimates it will prevent 2,200 heart attacks and almost 3,300 strokes over the course of five years.
The devices are simple to use and operate in a similar way to those found in GP surgeries. Patients can wrap the device around the upper arm to quickly read their blood pressure at home. The reading is then sent to their GP for review, either by telephone, email or courtesy of a digital remote monitoring platform.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and national medical director of primary care for the NHS, said: “It’s vital that people with high blood pressure keep track of their levels, so they can report any significant changes that could indicate a potentially deadly stroke or heart attack, and this simple but lifesaving innovation offers people efficient and convenient care.
“By using these monitors, and reporting the readings to local teams, patients are able to quickly and easily update GP teams with a regular snapshot of their blood pressure health. These simple checks will help us to save lives.”
NHSX has already delivered more than 65,000 blood pressure monitors to patients in need.
Lisa Hollins, director of innovation at NHSX, said: “By proving this tech to people in their own homes we can reach people who might not otherwise have access to regular monitoring and improve care for those who need it most, delivering on the NHS Long Term Plan’s ambition to reduce health inequalities.”
She continued: “The pandemic has shown patients want to be more involved and active in their own health, and home remote monitoring for blood pressure of other conditions is good for patients and good for the NHS.”
Back in May last year, NHSX published a tender notice calling on technology companies to apply with their remote monitoring technology solutions in response to the Covid pandemic. And across the country numerous trusts turned to digital platforms to support healthcare settings – including Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Inhealthcare where a digital platform was implemented in primary, acute and out-of-hour care settings to support the remote care of Covid patients.