PocDoc, a diagnostics company based in Cambridge, has announced a groundbreaking at-home heart test that promises to deliver results to the NHS within minutes
This kit is set to significantly enhance the availability of digital health checks across the UK.
At-home kit to test crucial health metrics
The new test provides patients with crucial health metrics, including cholesterol readings, body mass index (BMI) scores, and comprehensive heart data that can predict the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke.
The NHS has highlighted that each digital health check could save up to 20 minutes of doctors’ time, potentially freeing up thousands of GP appointments.
Cardiovascular disease is a major concern in the UK, costing the NHS £7.4 billion annually and the wider economy £15.8 billion, the BBC reported.
PocDoc tests
The introduction of PocDoc’s test is a significant step in addressing these issues. By streamlining the diagnostic process, the test aims to ease the burden on healthcare services and improve patient outcomes.
Last year, the government launched a digital health check programme aimed at delivering one million tests over four years, complementing the traditional face-to-face checks.
PocDoc’s kit is the first to be integrated with the NHS Health Check app, marking a milestone in digital healthcare. This integration allows patients to conduct tests at home and share the results with the NHS in just around nine minutes.
Already, the test has been rolled out in pharmacies and community centres in several regions, including Cambridge and Peterborough.
Identifying people at risk
PocDoc’s initiative has proven particularly successful in reaching “at risk” groups such as individuals over 40, those who are overweight, and people who face challenges in accessing GP appointments.
The rollout of PocDoc’s test is expected to expand further, bringing this vital tool to more communities and continuing to support the NHS in its mission to deliver comprehensive and timely healthcare.
With this new at-home heart test, PocDoc is poised to make a lasting impact on public health, ensuring that digital health checks become a staple in the UK’s healthcare landscape.
