FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST, 2020

For immediate release:

NHS Tayside launches new app to help people living with IBS

People living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are set to benefit from a new app launched by NHS Tayside, in partnership with digital health service provider, Inhealthcare.

IBS is a chronic condition often associated with abdominal pain and discomfort and changes in bowel habits. IBS is thought to affect up to one in five people and is most common among women and those aged under 50. The symptoms associated with IBS can have a significant impact on a person’s daily life.

The new app helps people to track their symptoms over time and identify any changes. People can also access trusted information at any time to help them understand and manage their condition, including requesting extra support from dietitians as and when needed. The new service reduces the time taken for people to start receiving specialist advice and support from weeks to days.

People are diagnosed with IBS in primary care and referred to NHS dietitians who will register them onto the new app. If people have not shown any signs of improvement after four weeks on the service, they can request further support from the dietitian and move onto the next stage in the management pathway.

Tayside Nutrition Managed Clinical Network Programme Manager and Professional Dietetic Advisor to the Scottish Government Modernising Patient Pathways Programme, Jacqueline Walker, said, “IBS is a complex condition with many contributing factors, which can include diet, stress and anxiety.

“We launched this service with Inhealthcare to strengthen self-management, deliver care closer to home and speed up access to clinicians for those with the greatest need.

“We are hoping that our patients see the benefits of this new app very quickly. It is important to provide trusted evidenced-based advice to people as there is a lot of misinformation about IBS on the internet.”

Georgia Nelson, Regional Sales Manager at Inhealthcare, said, “This new service is built around the needs of people with IBS so they can access help and support at a time convenient to them.

“This empowers individuals as they come to terms with their condition and frees up clinicians to spend time with people who need the most care.”

“The first cohort of people with IBS have been given access to the app and we hope the service will be rolled out more widely in the coming months.”

The new app has been funded by the Scottish Government’s Technology Enabled Care Programme and the Modernising Patient Pathways Programme.

Notes to editors:

About Inhealthcare:

Inhealthcare is a UK leader in digital health and remote care technologies and has more than 100 commissioned NHS services, supporting more than 400,000 patients across the UK.  

These help patients to self-test and self-report questionnaires, blood tests and vital sign measurements without the need for face-to-face consultations.

Contact:

Cara Longmuir

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740716