Developers are being invited to submit applications as the NHS Apps Library continues to grow.
NHS Digital and NHS England are enhancing the Apps Library to make it the go-to place for patients to access safe and effective digital tools.
The Apps Library, which is currently in public beta or test version, helps patients navigate the many digital healthcare tools available, providing trusted digital tools for patients and citizens to manage and improve their health and well-being.
Our Mobile Health has recently been appointed to work alongside NHS Digital to assess digital healthcare apps for inclusion on the NHS Apps Library.
They will ensure apps meet NHS technical, clinical and safety standards, and help connect people to the information and services they need easily and effectively.
Hazel Jones, Programme Director at NHS Digital, said: "This agreement with Our Mobile Health is part of our ongoing commitment to setting national standards and helping patients and citizens better manage their health.
"Patients can be confident that the apps they are using are safe and trusted. We are looking forward to working with Our Mobile Health in developing that process.
"In the future we hope to invite more third-party assessors to work with us on the assessment procedure and develop and speed up the system so that we can improve the array of apps featured on the Library.
"This is an exciting opportunity for the many developers out there that come from all sections of the market to put forward their apps for assessment.
Being featured on the library is not only a great bonus for developers but it also helps CCGs and patients who will have the reassurance that the apps featured are evidence-based and result in positive patient outcomes."
The Apps Library currently contains 46 apps to help patients manage a variety of conditions such as diabetes, mental health, COPD with the latest one to be added promoting mindfulness to support improved mental health.
Our Mobile Health has been selected via the Crown Commercial Service Framework G-cloud 9 to support the assessment process.
Julie Bretland, Chief Executive of Our Mobile Health said: "We are delighted to be selected for this collaboration with the NHS to develop the Apps Library, and we're looking forward to working together to provide patients and citizens, with a great choice of good quality digital health solutions."
Juliet Bauer, Chief Digital Officer at NHS England, said: "Digital technology is now a part of all our lives and in the NHS we want to harness the advantages of digital to improve services and empower patients to take control of their own health.
"Through this partnership with Our Mobile Health, the NHS Apps Library will grow, providing the public with even more NHS and recommended apps they can use to manage their health and well-being.
"Apps can provide a real insight into patients' conditions, enabling clinicians to deliver better, more relevant treatment and give patients more control over their care."
Developers can submit their applications and then be assessed to see if they meet published criteria.
ENDS
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Notes to editors
1. NHS Digital is the national information and technology partner of the health and care system. Our team of information analysis, technology and project management experts create, deliver and manage the crucial digital systems, services, products and standards upon which health and care professionals depend. During the 2016/17 financial year, NHS Digital published 292 statistical reports. Our vision is to harness the power of information and technology to make health and care better.
2. Developers can begin the assessment process. Apps will be 'pre-assessed' to ensure the readiness and suitability of the submission.
3. Access the NHS Apps Library
4. For media enquiries please contact [email protected] or telephone 0300 30 33 888.
