Contract with Our Mobile Health accompanied by call for more developers to submit applications to NHS Apps Library
NHS Digital has announced the appointment of digital healthcare specialist Our Mobile Health to work with it in assessing apps for inclusion in the NHS Apps Library.
It has made the move as part of its effort to expand the NHS Apps Library, along with a call to developers to submit new applications.
The Apps Library, which is currently in public beta or test version, supports patients in finding suitable digital healthcare tools to help manage their health.
The two organisations are testing apps against NHS technical, clinical and safety standards.
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.”
Third party role
NHS Digital is emphasising the role of third party developers in providing new apps, rather than taking sole responsibility.
Matthew Swindells, NHS England's national director for operations and information, recently told its Empower the Person conference that it wants to develop an interoperable ecosystem that makes it possible for third parties to help solve complex problems in healthcare.
The Apps Library currently contains 46 apps to help patients manage a variety of conditions such as diabetes, mental health,and COPD.
Our Mobile Health was selected via the Crown Commercial Service G-Cloud 9 framework.
Image from Imperial College NHS Trust
