Liz Ashall-Payne, founding CEO of ORCHA, presented yesterday at a United Nations symposium on digital health.
The invite-only conference, which is billed an ‘intellectual supercollider’, was streamed by UNESCO to 150 countries.
Liz’s presentation outlined ORCHA’s work in the field of digital health accreditation and focused on its development, with the Nordic Interoperability Project/ N!P, of the world’s first cross-border digital health evaluation programme.
She said:
“I briefed the delegates on a cross-border project which ORCHA supported across the Nordics. I believe there are lessons here which could be relevant as we roll out safe digital health across the globe.”
The Nordic region, which encompasses Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland, has a transient population, so it makes sense for these separate nations to integrate their health systems so that citizens are supported on the move. Despite the 365,000 digital health technologies on the market, no standardised regulation or risk management system is in place in any of the Nordic states, let alone any shared standards between the countries.
The Nordic Digital Health and Evaluation Criteria (NordDEC) programme has been created by N!P together with ORCHA to unify digital health standards across multiple countries, so that safe digital health can reach citizens across the entire region.
Liz said that lessons learned from the NordDEC could now be rolled out globally – bringing countries, regions and continents together in a joint effort to get better healthcare to more people.
She added:
“The invitation to speak at this great event came via Martin Curley of Ireland’s Health Service Executive, after our meeting earlier this year. Thank you Martin for giving ORCHA this opportunity.”
The patients of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) are to be encouraged to use technology to help them self-manage long term conditions and wait well for elective procedures.
Patients using the Patients Know Best portal to access their medical records and interact with the professional teams will be offered several opportunities, via the platform itself, to get free access to an ORCHA Health App Library containing hundreds of highly rated health apps.
Once accessed, using a straightforward search function, they can input details of their condition and quickly find digital health solutions to help them monitor and manage their symptoms, plus maintain healthy lifestyles through, for example, smoking cessation and weight maintenance.
This is a first-of-its-kind offer for hospital patients, which supports the NHS priority of tackling the 6.6m elective care waiting list. It also illustrates how NHS suppliers can work together creatively and productively to support the health system.
Lloyd Humphreys, Managing Director of ORCHA said:
“Patients Know Best is an exemplary platform and we’re delighted to be able to offer its users an enhanced level of support via our curated app library. It’s a fantastic example of how we can put new opportunities, literally, into the hands of patients – via their phones – when they are already online using a patient portal.
Sally Rennison CCO at PKB said:
“Recognising the role technology and data can play in empowering patients and delivering better outcomes is core to Patients Know Best’s founding mission and principle. By being able to open up more possibilities to patients to engage with technology and their data, through trusted partners like ORCHA, this digital ecosystem and supported, well-equipped patients can continue to grow. Knowing what makes good apps is key to continuing to build trust and engagement with patients, and we’re so pleased to be able to align with ORCHA who are the leaders in achieving this.”
Independent research commissioned by ORCHA found that 60% of people were ready and willing to try new methods of managing their health, in order to help the NHS, including using high-quality health apps.
Neil Proudlove, Deputy Chief Information Officer at HUTH said:
“The NHS was presented with a unique set of challenges during the pandemic and tackling the resulting backlog must involve thinking differently. This is an example of creative thinking by two providers – collaboration has to be the way forward.”
ORCHA is now exploring how to evolve the patient experience one step further, so that the apps offered can be tailored to the patient’s condition.
Featured image:ORCHA team stood together outside
The ranking was compiled by technology magazine Business Cloud. It follows a succession of other award wins for ORCHA and its founder Liz Ashall-Payne, in just the last few months.
Commenting on her company’s inclusion in the ranking, Liz said: “Founding a health-tech start up has been an incredible challenge and has taken immense resilience. To be where we are today, with a committed team of creative, motivated colleagues, is fantastic. Massive thanks to all those voted for us to be in this prestigious ranking.”
Other award successes for ORCHA so far in 2022 are:
ORCHA’s Health App Libraries are now used by doctors across extensive parts of the NHS and in 12 other countries. Health apps are routinely being recommended to help patients stop smoking, manage long term conditions, maintain a healthy weight, monitor their blood pressure, and much more.
Liz added: “The more we all turn to digital health tools, the more ORCHA will be needed. There’s an ongoing issue with quality. Only 20% of all the health apps we review – and we’ve done 20,000 reviews to date – meet the standards necessary for us to recommend them to the NHS.”
ORCHA’s rapid expansion means it is constantly recruiting. For details of the latest positions visit https://orchahealth.com/about-us/recruitment/.
Read more about the HealthTech 50 here: https://businesscloud.co.uk/healthtech-50-uks-most-innovative-health-technology-creators-for-2022
Featured image: Group of mixed age and ethnicity teenage friends on a walk in Beadnell, North East England. They are standing in a field looking at each others phones, talking together.
ORCHA has selected five mental health apps which could help anxious teenagers as they wait for their A Level and GCSE results (due on 18 August and 25 August).
The apps are:
They allow young people to communicate with their peers anonymously, learn techniques to cope with anxiety and increase their resilience – and all in a safe environment.
Clinical psychologist Dr Humphreys, managing director of ORCHA, commented that Generation Z have grown up with tech and it’s like a natural language for them.
Dr Humphreys added:
“Teens who socialise online will find it entirely normal to also seek support in a virtual environment. In this ever present, always on world, you can use a health app and engage as much as you feel able, and at any time you like. There is good evidence of their effectiveness – and combining technology with others forms of support can provide a well-rounded way of meeting teenagers within their comfort zones, breaking down many barriers.”
Matt Pearson, 18, who studied at Derby College and is waiting for his A Level results next week, said:
“Oftentimes, talking to your parents about exam results seems circular. Because you’re trying to relieve stress by talking directly to a major component of the stress. What I would say, and what many others my age would as well, is that looking online can give you a better solution. Whether that is talking to your friends over social media, strangers on random forums or talking to a chatbot or playing a game.
“Talking to your parents is high consequence. Whereas talking to a random person is low consequence. They aren’t going to judge you and it won’t impact anything. It is just a method of expressing your emotions. Health apps allow you to do that in a safe manner.”
Independent research commissioned by ORCHA* found that:
ORCHA recommends that families select health apps carefully, as 80% still fail to pass its quality assurance process – many have insufficient clinical backing or are lax on data privacy. Apps which are NHS accredited or which appear on an ORCHA app library have been rigorously vetted and are safe to use.
FOR GETTING REASSURANCE FROM PEERS – TELLMI
Tellmi was selected for this ORCHA list by a group of teen boys, who felt their peers would benefit from it. It allows users to share their struggles and receive advice from other users. The app has a social media-like layout which teenagers will be very familiar with, making it more appealing and engaging. Tellmi has an age band feature that connects app users to others of a similar age.
Platforms: Apple iOS, Google, Android
Cost: Free
ORCHA score: 81%
FOR ANONYMOUS CHAT – WYSA
Wysa was also selected by ORCHA’s teen panel. It’s an AI chatbot which allows users to express their feelings confidently and anonymously. Using short CBT activities, it helps users to cultivate confidence, reduce anxiety and improve general wellbeing.
Platforms: Apple iOS and Android
Cost: The app is free to download and use on a limited basis. There are then in-app purchases.
ORCHA score: 85%
FOR HANDLING LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS – WOEBOT
Woebot can help you think through situations step by step, using proven therapeutic methods. It’s used by millions of people every week to cope with anxiety, depression, loneliness and much more. It checks in with you, helping with insights and skills development.
Platforms: Apple iOS and Android
Cost: The app is entirely free.
ORCHA score: 84%
FOR GETTING BETTER SLEEP – SMILING MIND
This free mindfulness meditation app has programmes for youths (13-18) and adults (19+). It’s designed to look after your mind, helping with the pressure, stress and challenges. Learn how to relax and cope – and sleep better.
Platforms: Apple iOS and Android
Cost: The app is entirely free
ORCHA score: 77%
FOR EASY LISTENING – FEELING GOOD
Feeling Good is accredited by NHS digital. It provides mental health focussed audio tracks to help you build essential skills, bounce forward and become more resilient: a great option for teens who love podcasts. There are programmes for both teens and adults.
Platforms: Apple iOS and Android
Cost: There are several free tracks, then the whole app can be unlocked with a referral code or one-time payment.
ORCHA score: 90%
*OnePoll survey of 2000 consumers, May 2022