The Humber Health Partnership encourages patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) to use an app, courtesy of the Lenus COPD support system, to keep track of their symptoms.

Since it was introduced back in March ’23, there’s been a 40% reduction in patients needing to go back to hospital for treatment.

They now hope to reduce that figure even further, possibly by as much as 90%, by using AI to analyse the data generated by the app.

The app works by prompting patients to regularly answer questions about their health and well- being, with the data being analysed to see who possibly needs to be seen back in a hospital setting.

The app also has messaging functionality to communicate directly with their NHS clinic.

“This prompts them to make contact to initiate treatment early, so that we can give them the care they need to get them back on the right path before the point they need to come into hospital.”

Professor Mike Crooks – NHS

Going forward, all data generated by the app will be analysed by AI to help medical professionals identify trends and potential triggers that may mean patients require additional treatment for their COPD, allowing the NHS to treat people before they need urgent hospital care.