Clinical AI technology company Sensyne Health has launched a new web-based COVID-19 focussed software application called ‘CVm-Health the ‘Good Neighbour app’.

The app marks Sensyne Health’s first direct to consumer software application built on its new SensyneOS Clinical AI platform. This platform is built to be globally scalable, aiming for the highest levels of cybersecurity and regulatory compliance.  

Lord (Paul) Drayson, CEO of Sensyne Health, said: “Current social distancing and self-isolation advice is limiting people’s ability to care for the ones we love. While physical isolation during the crisis makes sense, social isolation doesn’t. In line with Sensyne’s aim to improve patient care, I hope CVm-Health becomes an app for everyone, including the digitally disconnected, and enables people to volunteer, from their laptop on their sofa, or at a safe distance in their neighborhood, to help look after those most vulnerable in society.”

The app is free to anyone in the UK, and provides a secure way for individuals and families, sick or well, to monitor and support the management of their health for COVID-19 related symptoms.  

The app will also enable individuals to ‘be a good neighbour’ by helping remotely monitor and care for members of their family or community who are at risk from Coronavirus and digitally disconnected, either those with poor technology literacy or without access to the internet. The Office of National Statistics has reported that 11.3 million people in the UK lack the basic digital skills needed to use the internet effectively, while 4.8 million people never go online at all.

Sensyne will work to build and engage with communities and aims to work alongside national and local charities and volunteer organisations.

Key features of CVm-Health are:

• Health monitoring

Enables individuals to remotely monitor their own and other people’s vital signs (e.g. pulse, temperature), COVID-19 related symptoms and log existing health conditions and medications. 

•  Good Neighbour care

To be used for those in the community that will remain at risk, isolated and locked-down after general social distancing guidance is relaxed.  

• Healthcare focussed

Built using Sensyne’s expertise in developing validated digital health software products for the NHS that support healthcare specialists and patients in need.

• Accessible to all

A web-based application which provides the accessibility and the ability to rapidly add to and update features.  

• Rigorous data and regulatory compliance 

Will not track location or share personal information. Fully GDPR and ISO compliant.

Over the coming weeks, Sensyne Health plans to add additional features to CVm-Health such as:

• provide reference information to enable individuals who are self-monitoring or monitoring members of their family or community in making informed decisions based on the latest medical guidance and their own symptom data recorded in the app
• a symptom and vital signs history view to help people monitor their health and create a COVID-19 digital diary  
• the sharing of symptoms and vital signs history with healthcare professionals, family members and carers

With the consent of users, data generated by the application will be anonymised and analysed using machine learning techniques to derive insights that will be made available free to the NHS and for medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.  

Sensyne recently made its GDm-Health app available free to all NHS Trusts in the UK for one year, to assist with monitoring and managing this high-risk group during the COVID-19 pandemic, and relieve pressure on the NHS.  

Dr Chris Paton, head of the Global Health Informatics Group at the University of Oxford, and co-chair of the independent CVm-Health Clinical Leadership Board, said: “This app will be especially useful for those who want to help look after their family members or neighbours who might not have access to smartphones or tablet computers themselves. The app provides a simple and effective way of helping people track their own and others symptoms over time while ensuring the data collected is securely protected so that it can be used to help doctors and the NHS manage the Coronavirus pandemic.”