The Difference Between Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and a Health App Within any app store, a large variety of apps related to health and medical care can be found, however not all of these apps are regarded as Health apps, some are regarded as Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) applications. There is a big difference between a Health app and a SaMD application. Understanding the difference between these two types of applications is important for healthcare professionals, developers and consumers. What is a Health App? Health apps, most commonly found on smartphones, tablets and wearab ..read more

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for improved information sharing across healthcare settings. This led the NHS to kick-start the development of a national framework and data standards for shared care records (SCRs), with the ultimate aim of ensuring the consistent recording and exchange of patient information. By September 2023, working closely with the NHS, the Government had prioritised establishing a national federated network of SCRs, (in which there is interoperability across different ICSs at a national level), as stated in its response to the Digital Transformation in th ..read more

Sadie and her colleagues within ICHT have been working alongside Voice-Care to develop a workflow solution which specifically focuses on CVV line insertions; a procedure which typically involves around 40 process steps. The solution takes clinicians through a step-by-step approach to the procedure, enabling users to confirm that each step has been completed. All data is automatically uploaded to the patient record directly from the point of care. The results of implementing the solution have been far-reaching for ICHT, with it being described as a ‘game changer’ and a ‘must have.’ As well as ..read more

Health sector communication has seen a shift in the extent to which videos are used, bringing forth a change in care of patients and the way healthcare providers communicate with the patients. In a time of constant digitizing the phenomenon is occurring forever fast and with the vividness which has never been observed before any video is something which has no analogue in the process of saying complex medical information in a few easy and good understanding scenes. This blog post puts into words how videos which are a common form of content in healthcare marketing help in transforming the mar ..read more

The family of Kate Smart, who died in August 2022, raised £10,000 as a thank you to the nurses who cared for her in her last days. Kate was diagnosed with a terminal illness and died 10 days later, but thanks to the efforts of the district nursing and out of hours teams from City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP), she was able to have her wish to die at home surrounded by her family and friends. Kate’s daughter Beth said the nurses were ‘unsung heroes’ who came out at all hours of the day and night to support Kate and give her the treatment she needed. At an afternoon tea organised by the te ..read more

For centuries, healthcare has grappled with immense challenges, from limited resources to evolving diseases. Yet, it remains a powerful symbol of hope and healing, entrusted with our most sensitive information and, often, our very lives. This responsibility rests on a core foundation: to heal, to comfort, to protect. However, in the digital age, this very sector faces a completely different challenge – cyberattacks. Bad actors are infiltrating the heart of healthcare, jeopardising patient safety and putting lives at risk. In 2023 alone, healthcare organisations saw a consistent month-over-mon ..read more

CHEC, one of the UK’s first community-based providers of gastroenterology and endoscopy services, has announced its Stevenage hospital has been acknowledged as an accredited provider of gastroenterology services by Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB. Working in partnership with the NHS, the addition of CHEC as an accredited provider increases patient choice for people living in Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas. Already offering end to end ophthalmic services from its Stevenage hospital, the addition of gastroenterology and endoscopy strengthens CHEC’s position as a trusted provider of co ..read more

The National Health Service (NHS) is facing several challenges. Funding cuts over the past decade have put a lot of services at risk and under strain. These have been intensified by the cost-of-living crisis and the growing demand for social care. So as a sector, the NHS needs to look for new solutions to ensure it can still deliver quality care to its patients. And that’s where considered use of Generative artificial intelligence (AI) could come in. Chris Bush, Head of Design at Nexer Digital, discusses how this might hold the key to revolutionising some admin and productivity challenge ..read more

In today’s ever-evolving healthcare landscape, insurers are eagerly adopting inventive strategies to elevate digital interactions for their members. Among these strategies, the incorporation of SDK wrappers into health insurance member apps is gaining momentum. This integration offers a multitude of advantages for health insurers, chiefly harnessing the innovative technologies cultivated by their partners over time. Through the seamless integration of these technologies into their member web or mobile apps, insurers can drastically cut down on development time while guaranteeing a cohesive an ..read more

NHS Wales’ online mental health support service has hit 30,000 referrals since piloting six years ago. The free service – powered by digital mental health platform  – was successfully trialled in Powys in May 2018 and expanded across Wales three years later in response to the COVID pandemic. Project manager Fionnuala Clayton said the referrals milestone reflected NHS Wales’ determination to break down barriers to care, and demonstrated the public were willing to embrace digital provision. Said Fionnuala: “Tens of thousands of people have discovered the benefits of our online support serv ..read more