Our Partnership with NHS Trusts: The Challenges & Solutions
In the dynamic landscape of healthcare in the UK, the integration of technology has become pivotal in addressing complex, unforeseen challenges and in enhancing the efficiency of medical services across the board. The NHS has also seen an increase in private involvement over the last 25 years or so, and this has allowed the NHS to evolve with the help of external partners to adapt to the ever-changing technological landscape and utilise its advantages. There’s been no period in which more of this involvement has been encouraged than during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we have seen a few new advancements in the NHS’s digital repertoire as a result.
In each case we were involved in, Conjure’s agile development approach allowed for continuous adaptation to the needs of an organisation and industry that never stays still for long, resulting in highly refined and efficient applications that have helped save lives. These solutions showcase the already vast and well-known potential of technology in transforming healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes.
The London Ambulance Service iPad Application
Challenge
How can we enhance the London Ambulance Service ‘s ability to respond more efficiently and comprehensively, enabling them to better grasp current medical concerns, including critical underlying issues that may impact immediate on-site treatment during emergencies?
In close partnership with NHS OneLondon, we helped the London Ambulance Crew leverage the power of the Health and Social Care Network to access critical patient information securely and effectively. The goal was to provide paramedics and medical professionals with immediate access to vital data, enabling informed decision-making and enhancing the quality of patient care.
Solution
The London Care Record app, developed in collaboration with our design team and under the guidance of the London Ambulance crew during a 5-day design sprint workshop, is cutting-edge software designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency medical services by giving them access to a patient’s medical records instantaneously. The application is specifically tailored for native iPad iOS, offering a seamless and intuitive user experience for the ambulance crew.
With our agile development approach, we are also able to continuously adapt the software to meet evolving needs and actively incorporate user feedback, resulting in a highly refined and efficient application.
The COVID Testing Application “Lantern”
Challenge
What could we do to ensure the smooth operation of an internal COVID testing platform? The NHS required an integrated service solution to report and record lateral flow device (LFD) rapid tests, which were the main method of internal COVID testing for NHS trusts, organisations, and staff members.
Solution
The Lantern application was developed; a responsive web app designed for both desktop and mobile devices. It utilises a mobile device’s camera to automate the scanning process for viral samples during drop-off, and the same web app is then used on a desktop device to enable lab technicians to process and track patient samples.
As the pandemic continued, testing needs changed, and we had to continue to ensure the highest level of protection for staff and patients. Organisations and trusts enforced the need for referencing a cloud based Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) solution, which provides additional accuracy and access to essential viral data for validating test results. As a LIMS web application, it offered a workflow to centralise and store lab and patient data, provide reporting capabilities, and generate sample barcodes. The architecture of the web application is a cloud-based microservice with dynamic scaling capabilities and, as a result, it’s now used to register, process, and report over 20,000 users per month, processing 15,000 test samples a day.
Diabetes Mobile Application
Challenge
When the NHS first approached us, they wanted to create a unique solution that would stand apart from the plethora of blood glucose level tracking apps already on the market. Rather than adopting a generic, one-size-fits-all approach, their vision was to develop an app that offered personalised advice relevant to the patient’s individual circumstances and objectives. Moreover, they aimed to design an application that would actively promote behavioural changes among patients by delivering timely reminders and actionable tips.
Solution
Collaborating with diabetes healthcare experts, we developed an app that empowers diabetes patients to proactively improve their health on a daily basis, independently and effectively. Conjure worked closely with a practising UK Consultant Diabetologist with more than a decade of specialist experience to craft the application’s content and format.
To create a personalised and user-friendly experience, the app constructs a user profile through a brief set-up process consisting of six multiple-choice questions, enabling patients to establish their own goals, such as enhancing their blood glucose levels, cholesterol, weight, and more.
The Diabetes Key Tips feature also helps support self-management by allowing users to set objectives, guides them to solve problems, provides tailored information, and supports behaviour change.
We couldn’t be prouder to have worked with the NHS on these vitally important projects and, more importantly, to have seen the impact these applications have had on their users. It’s no secret that technological advancements will continue to have a place in the healthcare sector, and we’re more than up for the challenge of maximising their impact.
