Using ground-breaking technology to overcome health inequalities at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
This article was previously published by Healthcare Global, UK Authority, Building Better Healthcare, HTN, and Digital Health. You can read a summary here:
Health inequalities, in every sense, are avoidable. The COVID-19 pandemic shone a light on many inequalities that, with the right technology, can be eliminated for good.
We launched the CardMedic app during the COVID-19 pandemic to help healthcare professionals combat these health inequalities, helping patients with hearing, sight or other disabilities that could hamper vital communications. Ultimately helping improve patient experience and enhance the care they receive.
We are so proud to launch CardMedic with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust as our beacon acute secondary care site, and the first acute trust to sign a commercial agreement with us.
How CardMedic is helping patients with hearing or sight disabilities at University Hospitals Sussex NHS FT
Flashcards on the app are able to replicate conversations on a wide range of healthcare topics. Questions and explanations on the app have been developed by clinical professionals, and staff are also able to add free text. It’s able to address a number of communication barriers, as the content can be converted into different languages, sign language videos, easy read or read-aloud mode. It also has an integrated speech-to-text translation tool.
Barbara Harris, head of inclusion at the trust, said: “When shorter conversations need to take place, especially in the middle of the night, clinicians often feel they don’t want to disturb a translator. CardMedic bridges that gap to meet the needs of patients.
“You’ve got something that’s an absolutely instant way to communicate with your patients, and in so many language formats – that’s a major benefit.”
The five-year contract will see University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust roll out the app across the whole business domain of the trust, which was formed from the merger of Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Bright and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.
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