NHS app means more home treatment for patients

Patients and doctors will be able to connect digitally for routine procedures

Patients of three Surrey hospitals will be able to get more treatment in their own homes, thanks to new digital technology.

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and Frimley Health Foundation Trust will all be using the NHS app for routine tests.

It means information such as blood pressure and oxygen levels can be collected and shared with specialists without the need for a visit to hospital.

It is part of a national roll out of the scheme, with the South East receiving £866,000 from the government.

"Using tech to bring care closer to home frees up hospital appointments for those who truly need them and makes life simpler for everyone" said Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

"Through innovative approaches like this and NHS Online which will digitally connect patients to expert clinicians anywhere in England, we are building a smarter NHS all while easing pressures on busy hospitals and stretched staff."

The scheme will focus on five medical specialities - ear, nose, and throat, gastroenterology, respiratory medicine, urology and cardiology.

Patients will be able to complete forms online and specialists will able to review results remotely.

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