Digital Apps: A help or hindrance? Understanding and accessing digital healthcare apps

This is a report by Healthwatch City of London. The project looks at the role of digital health apps.

The project reviewed local health apps available to people. There was also engagment with local people as well as professionals.

Our three key findings were:

• The number of apps/digital platforms that are now used is confusing.
• The different apps/platforms don’t connect to each other; therefore, patients have to access 
  several to get the information needed.
• There is a lack of language and disability access options.

There are recommendations in this report.

• Our Integrated Care Board and Local Authority should work together to facilitate digital access to all through support, advice and practical help, particularly with setting up and using the basic functions within the NHS app.
• Apps need to work together more effectively or be centralised into one app so that patients have 
  fewer apps to access and are able to understand how to use them better.
• All digital apps to be compliant with the Accessible Information Standard and meet the requirements for those with any additional needs - NHS England Accessible Information Standard Specification.
• Service providers to have adequate information accessible to those who can’t access services digitally. 

There are no follow up actions in this report.