NHS Digital has enlisted the help of a third-party app evaluator to speed up the number of clinically-approved tools available on the NHS Apps Library.
ORCHA uses a combination of manual and automated assessment processes to scour mobile app marketplaces for applications that can be safely used within clinical settings.

The company conducts a ‘data scrape’ of app stores, such as those belonging to Google and Apple, and then feeds the information through an algorithm that separates legitimate applications from defunct or otherwise unsafe ones.

Legitimate apps can then be collated and reviewed by human assessors to ensure they are secure and fit for clinical use.
The NHS Apps Library currently includes 70 health apps spanning online services, lifestyle advice, and support for a number of health conditions.
ORCHA aims to help bring more verified services onto the market at a quicker pace.

To do this, apps will be assessed against the Digital Assessment Questions (DAQ) process. Developed by NHS Digital, the methodology evaluates apps against a set of criteria including effectiveness, regulatory approval, safety, privacy, security, usability, interoperability, technical stability, and change management.

Speaking to Digital Health News, Liz Ashall-Payne, CEO of ORCHA, said:

“There are three main challenges with mhealth apps and the use and uptake. Those are awareness, access, and the ultimate barrier being trust.

“ORCHA’s mission is to activate people, patients and professionals to be able to search for, find and use the best health apps in their work and lives, as trust is the biggest barrier – reviewing and knowing which are the best is critical.”

ORCHA is part of the NHS Accelerator Programme and already works with 20 CCGs and NHS trusts in England.
Its enlistment by NHS Digital comes after the health body said in February that it would partner with third-party assessors to increase the variety of apps featured in its apps library.

Hazel Jones, Programme Director at NHS Digital, said ORCHA would

“provide a route for regional health and social care providers to find trusted digital tools for their patients and citizens.”

The NHS Apps Library is due to go live nationwide at the tail-end of 2018, with a target of having 100 available in time for its launch.
The primary focus will be to offer apps to patients that support them in the management of common health conditions.
The NHS hopes to have its own app ready for download by December 2018.

Government Purchasing Framework Approves Health App Services

We are delighted to announce that ORCHA services have now been approved on the Government’s G-Cloud 10 portal. This means any central government, local council, NHS Trust, or public-sector body can purchase ORCHA services and be assured to receive pre-approved commercial arrangements that represent quality and offer value for money.

ORCHA Services on G-Cloud that will help public sector organizations to safely unlock the potential Health Apps offer include:

Local engagement microsites – To drive uptake of health apps and target specific communities in your region, we provide locally branded and tailored microsites featuring a library of evaluated apps that meet the health challenges and demographics in your region.

Pro Account App Prescription service – To help bring health apps safely into practice, we’ve developed a tool to enable health and care professionals to prescribe health apps. More than 60% of recipients act on an App recommendation from a pro. This service helps you to unlock this potential.

Please find ORCHA on the G-Cloud at https://www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/g-cloud/services/492088287366157.

We are delighted to announce that Liz Ashall-Payne, CEO, ORCHA, was named Entrepreneur of the Year, in the Halton Chamber of Commerce & Enterprise 2018 Awards.

The judges assessed organizations from across the region, looking for high levels of growth, strong financial performance, and innovation.

Under Liz’s management, ORCHA has grown from an innovative health concept to its current position as the world leader in health and care app assessments. From Daresbury Science Park, the team drive standards and help NHS and care organizations across the world to capitalize on the power digital health apps have to offer.

Liz Ashall Payne said:

“The work the Chamber does is so important, giving a voice to the varied businesses in our region. I am proud that ORCHA was selected from amongst very tough competition to win this award.”

Home to the world’s only comparison site of health apps, we are passionate about helping patients and professionals find and compare health apps against a range of criteria including data security, clinical safety, and usability.

On behalf of NHS, Educational, and Corporate organizations across the UK and Europe, we review more apps than anyone else, checking against more than 140 criteria and creating locally targeted app libraries that drive user and professional uptake of the best apps on the market. Up until now, we have published the results of all reviews on our site, highlighting how apps rate against this criteria, giving an overall score, and providing the review details behind this.

After listening to our clients along with feedback from clinical and medical professionals we have created an improved offer that aims to drive even easier access to the best health apps on the market.

So what is different?

For Apps that are classified as a level 4 (meaning the highest level of complexity and therefore hold a greater clinical safety risk), we have introduced minimum compliance criteria. Such Apps will now have to demonstrate a suitably qualified professional or body behind the App and evidence of the App’s effectiveness in suitable studies or trials. All Apps which fall into this classification AND that fail to meet this minimum criteria will be excluded from all ORCHA platforms, meaning people, patients and professionals will only be able to find, download and recommend the best.

Talking of the change, Liz Ashall Payne said:

“We help both the NHS and organisations supporting health and wellbeing, to successfully integrate safe and effective health apps into their services. We also advise developers on the stringent requirements needed within the health and care market, to help support the creation of revolutionary apps. We think this change will make health app choices even clearer for patients.”

If you want to learn more please get in touch!

Email Hello@orchahealth.com

Follow us on Twitter @ORCHAhealth