Patients in Rushcliffe, Bedfordshire and Greenwich that have MSK related issues such as sprains, strains and bad backs will no longer need to wait for a doctor’s appointment or travel to get a diagnosis and treatment referral, thanks to brand new technology. Instead they will be encouraged to use an innovative physio app which uses AI and machine learning to ’triage’ patients, determining the severity of their condition and recommending next stages.
It follows the announcement of a partnership between Circle Health, the healthcare specialist and EQL, part of the NHS DIGITALHEALTH.LONDON accelerator programme, which is designed to improve the patient experience and reduce the strain on local GPs and A&E departments.
In June, EQL launched its debut product Phio, initially providing an agile triage tool that signposts users to suitable MSK care pathways. EQL is currently developing its Digital Injury Management tool, a solution that will harness Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to evolve and adapt its behaviour. The “patient as a partner” approach reduces the need for human intervention thereby increasing efficiency and fast-tracking patient care.
Accessible 24/7 and available in any language, Phio can complement existing services and is a strong alternative for many telephone-based and remote physiotherapy services. It also offers dramatically improved customer journeys and has the potential to radically improve health outcomes.
Circle Health was founded in 2004 by a group of doctors and managers who believed in a fresh approach to healthcare. The company is always looking to drive better patient experiences and outcomes as well as delivering the best value for money from its NHS contracts.
Dr Ajai Seth, Clinical Chairman for Circle Integrated Care said: “Phio enables patients to self-manage their musculoskeletal conditions, reducing the need to see a clinician face to face. It helps put patients on the correct treatment plan right from the outset, providing them with the tools they need to take ownership of their health. This empowers patient and may stop conditions such as back pain from becoming chronic problems.”
Jason Ward, CEO of EQL, who along with Peter Grinbergs co-founded the company, said: “Circle Health provides its patients with world-class healthcare solutions and we are extremely proud that this industry-leading company has chosen to partner with us on delivering Phio to key areas of the UK. Since our recent launch we have witnessed immense interest in this product and we were also proudly chosen as one of 20 high potential start-ups to take part in the NHS DigitalHealth.London’s Accelerator Programme. We are excited for the journey ahead and we look forward to working closely with Circle Health.”