Hywel Dda University Health Board partnership wins MediWales award for patient smartphone app

Hywel Dda University Health Board TriTech Institute and Bond Digital Health (BDH) have won the Health and Social Care Research Partnership with Industry Award at this year’s MediWales Innovation Awards. This award is sponsored by Health and Care Research Wales.

The TriTech Institute team worked with software engineers at BDH to develop a smartphone app, which allows patients to take control of their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a common group of lung conditions which cause long-term breathing difficulties.

Produced in collaboration with patients, the COPD Pal app allows people to manage their condition by logging their symptoms, feelings and medications.

Professor Keir Lewis, Clinical Respiratory Lead at Hywel Dda University Health Board, accepted the award.

Keir said: “It is an honour to accept this award on behalf of the partnership. Through the COPD Pal app we wanted to give patients greater control over their condition and we’re pleased that 89% of them said they would use the app regularly. 

“Since using the app, patients say their understanding of and confidence in managing their COPD has increased. Alongside this, we’ve observed this group contacted their GP less and they were less likely to be hospitalised. We’re now working closely with Bond Digital Health to further refine the app to maximise its impact on patient wellbeing.”

Carys Thomas, Head of Policy at Health and Care Research Wales, said:

“We are pleased to have sponsored this excellent award, which celebrates an industry partnership with a focus on health and social care research. 

“The TriTech Institute and Bond Digital Health team are doing pioneering work with their smartphone app, which has improved the lives of people with COPD. We congratulate them for winning this award and hope their approach will inspire others.”

For more information on the other award winners, visit the MediWales website.