Problem and Vision
Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) has taken significant steps toward addressing the growing pressures on urgent and emergency care services. With 33% of the population living in the most deprived 20% of neighbourhoods in England, the region faces substantial health challenges, including higher rates of avoidable hospital admissions. In 2023/2024, 15.6% of patients experienced waits longer than 12 hours in Accident & Emergency departments, largely due to insufficient bed capacity.
Recognising the need for broader interventions, the region has embraced digital health solutions and has partnered with ORCHA to enhance care, build confidence among healthcare professionals and patients, and empower individuals to manage their health more proactively.
Objective
The initiative aimed to support the recovery and efficiency of urgent and emergency care services across Cheshire and Merseyside through the deployment of digital health tools. Key areas of focus included:
Results
The initiative has led to measurable progress in adopting and integrating digital health solutions across the region:
Alleviated Pressure on Urgent and Emergency Services: Early indicators suggest a reduction in avoidable emergency visits, as patients gain the tools and knowledge needed to manage their health more effectively within their communities.
Conclusion
This initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to healthcare, demonstrating the transformative potential of digital health solutions in easing the burden on urgent and emergency care services. By integrating digital health tools into clinical practice, enhancing patient self-management, and ensuring accessibility, the region is paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient healthcare system.
The success of this approach highlights its scalability, offering a model for other regions seeking to improve healthcare outcomes through digital innovation. Ongoing engagement with healthcare professionals, continued refinement of digital resources, and sustained patient education will be essential to maximising long-term benefits.
Looking Ahead
The progress in Cheshire and Merseyside underscores the immense potential of digital health to transform healthcare delivery. If you’re part of the NHS and looking to implement a similar initiative in your region, expertise and resources are available to support tailored digital health strategies that improve care pathways, enhance patient engagement, and optimise service efficiency.
For more information on how digital health can support your healthcare priorities, get in touch with our team today hello@orchahealth.com
In Dorset, neurodiverse individuals face unique challenges when it comes to accessing health and wellbeing resources. These challenges can include communication barriers, sensory sensitivities, and difficulties navigating traditional healthcare services. Recognising the need for more inclusive and accessible solutions, Dorset’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) took the initiative to explore how digital health apps could provide targeted support.
Estimating the exact number of neurodivergent individuals in Dorset is challenging due to the broad spectrum of conditions encompassed by neurodiversity and the variability in diagnosis and reporting. National estimates suggest that approximately 10% of the population is neurodivergent, encompassing conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. publichealthdorset.org.uk
Applying this national estimate to Dorset’s population of approximately 800,000 residents, it can be inferred that around 80,000 individuals may be neurodivergent. However, some sources suggest that the prevalence could be higher, with estimates up to 14% of the population.
Given these figures, it is crucial to ensure a comprehensive and diverse range of support services tailored to meet the needs of this community.
With this in mind the primary goal was clear: to harness technology to create practical tools that improve the daily lives of neurodiverse individuals. By providing easy-to-use, inclusive digital resources, the initiative sought to enhance independence and empower individuals to take charge of their health and wellbeing with confidence. The approach prioritised usability and long-term engagement, fostering greater autonomy and inclusion.
Dorset’s strategy focused on delivering solutions that address the most pressing challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals, such as managing anxiety, improving sleep, building routines, and enhancing social skills. The key objectives were:
Over the past year, Dorset has seen significant progress in supporting neurodiverse communities with digital health tools. More than 500 neurodiversity-related apps have been downloaded, showcasing the growing trust in these solutions. Popular choices such as Inflow ADHD, Brain in Hand, and Focus@Will are amongst those that have been utilised. Some of the benefits associated with these apps include;
Dorset’s initiative demonstrates the transformative power of digital health apps in supporting neurodiverse individuals. By providing tailored, accessible tools, this program has improved mental health, independence, and quality of life for many. With continued adoption and expansion, digital health technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive and empowered community across Dorset, setting an example for how other regions can follow suit.
The success in Dorset shows the incredible potential of digital health apps to transform lives. If you’re part of the NHS and want to explore running a similar project in your region—or address another priority area using digital health tools—we’re here to help contact us at hello@orchahealth.com.
We’re thrilled to share the news: Mind app library is back and better than ever! This exciting relaunch comes with the support of Mind, the UK’s leading mental health charity. Did you know that one in four people in the UK face a mental health challenge each year? That’s a lot of people who need reliable and accessible support—and we’re here to make sure they get it.
With mental health concerns on the rise, it’s clear how vital it is to have help right at your fingertips. Digital health tools are stepping up in a big way, and the Mind app library is here to make it super easy for anyone to find trusted, effective apps to boost their mental health.
Here’s how it works: at ORCHA, we team up with app developers and suppliers to ensure every app in the library is top-notch. These apps go through a rigorous review process, including the Mind Assessment, to make sure they’re safe, effective, and of the highest quality.
Now for the fun part—here are just a few of the awesome apps you’ll find in the Mind app library:
These apps cover a variety of mental health needs, so whether you’re a student, a young carer, or looking for specialized support, there’s something for everyone.
Our mission is simple: to give everyone the tools they need for their mental health journey. With the relaunched Mind app library, finding help has never been easier. Together with Mind and our app partners, we’re building a future where support is always just a tap away, click here to access Mind app library
Let’s make mental health support accessible for everyone—because a healthier, happier world starts with you. 💙
If you’re a supplier and would like to discuss your app featuring on the Mind app library, please contact us at suppliersuccess@orchahealth.com
ORCHA (The Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps) is thrilled to announce that the first cohort of mental health apps assessed with the MHCC Assessment Framework for Mental Health Apps will now carry a distinct badge symbolizing their achievement for meeting high standards of data, privacy, clinical evidence, usability, accessibility and cultural safety.
This recognition marks a significant milestone in MHCC’s commitment to enhancing digital mental health solutions for people in Canada.
This announcement is the result of more than 2.5 years of dedicated work, during which the MHCC has developed a national digital mental health assessment and evaluation framework. ORCHA, a proud partner in this evaluation process, played a vital role in assessing these digital mental health tools with the MHCC Assessment Framework.
This framework provides a robust and efficient method to rigorously assess digital mental health tools, ensuring they meet essential requirements across key areas. By doing so, MHCC is helping to instill trust across the digital mental health ecosystem, allowing people in Canada to have confidence in the tools they choose to support their mental health and well-being.
Products that pass the assessment will be listed in the MHCC Mental Health Apps Repository. This internal portal serves as a central hub for collaborators, such as providers and policymakers, to explore and adopt assessed digital mental health technologies.
MHCC assessed apps will be made available to the public via provincial app libraries with some provinces soon. The MHCC is also planning the launch of a national mental health app library in 2025.
The first batch of assessed products includes:
For more information on how to get involved or to learn more about the MHCC Assessment Framework for Mental Health Apps, please contact: Jack Hewitt at ‘jack.hewitt@orchahealth.com’ or Sapna Wadhawan at swadhawan@mentalhealthcommission.ca.