Health app helping older people stay on feet saves hospital budgets
LOS ANGELES: A technological tool that detects when older patients are getting ill is saving the NHS more than £1.5 million each day by halving hospital admissions, a report has found.
The software, developed by Cera, a health tech company, has been rolled out to more than 10,000 social carers and nurses carrying out home visits across England for councils and the NHS.
It is able to detect signs of illnesses, such as a urine infection, flu or Covid, often before symptoms emerge, so patients can quickly get medical attention.
Carers use an app to log key observations, such as blood pressure, temperature, sleep and heart rate, on each visit. The information is analysed by an artificial-intelligence model that detects subtle changes that may not have been noticeable in person.
Staff are issued with an alert if patients are at risk, enabling them to take steps such as arranging an emergency GP visit or getting an antibiotic prescription from a pharmacist.
The early intervention can prevent patients from deteriorating to the point where they need to go to A&E or become weak and suffer a fall.
Research suggests that it cuts the risk of being admitted to hospital by 52 per cent and reduces the number of falls, which is the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people.
Analysis led by Faculty AI, a company that has contracts with the NHS, shows the technology has saved £1.5 million a day so far this year by cutting hospital admissions. It has saved £1 billion since it was introduced in 2023.
Dr Ben Maruthappu, who founded Cera after working as an A&E doctor in London, said: “These figures show social care’s potential to act as the front line of prevention for high-risk over-65s, easing NHS pressures at a time when the health service is stretched to breaking point.
“Critically, they also show the power of technology and AI to save money, increase productivity and help transform public services, delivering better care, for less, at a time when every pound of government spending is under pressure.
“£1 billion in savings could fund the salaries of more than 25,000 nurses for a year, pay for 40 million more GP appointments or build a number of hospitals. The further rollout of AI-backed home care, in a safe way, focused on prevention, could save many more billions, making a tangible difference for the public purse.”
Ministers are placing a huge emphasis on technology and on prevention as part of the NHS ten-year plan, unveiled by Wes Streeting, the health secretary, this summer.
Hugh Neylan, the head of health at Faculty AI, said: “These savings show the role AI and digitally powered prevention can play in improving public finances, easing NHS pressures and giving older and vulnerable people greater independence.”
The NHS has announced it is running “war game” exercises to ensure it is ready for winter and to deal with a surge in cases of Covid and flu. NHS England said local leaders would be testing the robustness of their plans with scenarios such as staffing shortages, a rapid rise in demand and multiple outbreaks of viruses. Campaigns will encourage people to take up the offer of vaccinations, such as flu jabs.
NHS leaders said there would be “easier access to rescue medicine”, such as Tamiflu, to help prevent symptoms from getting worse among people who are at high risk of complications.
Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, said: “Despite record demand this year, NHS teams have worked hard to improve waiting times, with last month’s category 2 ambulance response times the fastest for four years — but we know the coming colder months will be much more challenging.
“The NHS has done more preparation to be ready for the winter months than ever before, because we know the last few winters have been particularly tough for patients and staff and we are determined for this year to be better.”
Streeting said: “Winter is always tough for the NHS, but this year we’re ramping up preparations and doing more to protect the country. From ‘war game’ exercises to extra checks for the most vulnerable, we’re making sure the health service is ready for whatever comes its way.
“But the public has a crucial role too. The single best way you can protect yourself, your family and the NHS is by getting vaccinated. It takes pressure off hardworking staff and helps ensure care is there for patients when they need it most.
“By preparing together — government, NHS staff and the public — we can give the health service the best chance to weather the winter ahead.”
Ian Murray, the technology minister, said: “This is a shining example of how AI can help people live happier for longer and more independently, while easing pressures on the NHS and delivering value for the taxpayer.
“By making better use of AI and technology like this across the public sector, we can cash in on a £45 billion jackpot in productivity savings — all while improving people’s lives, fixing public services and driving growth.”