Pilots in north-east of England offered at-home cholesterol tests

Around 10,000 people living across the North East will test the PokDoc lipid test, which, along with an at-home finger prick blood test, a lateral flow device and an accompanying app, can indicate whether someone has high cholesterol.

This trial is being carried out in the field to see if it can help ease the pressure on GP surgeries that usually carry out the test, and ensure more people have access to the test. Because the testing process gives results immediately, it can also speed up diagnosis, helping prevent more people from developing heart disease and improving patient outcomes.

The North East pilot will focus on increasing access to cholesterol testing outside GP surgeries. This includes providing access at home, on a main street, at work and in other community settings.

The pilot began operating in May with participating practices in Newcastle and one business in the Cleveland area. The pilot is particularly focused on high-risk patients in disadvantaged communities and those who may be less connected to GP services.

Professor Julia Newton, medical director of the Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC), who helped secure funding and set up the regional pilot, said: “The PokeDoc test has the potential to change the way of life.” We provide CVD risk assessment and diagnoses to patients, making it more accessible to those who have previously struggled to engage with the process.

He added: “Through easier, more cost-effective access to cholesterol testing, we have the chance to reduce the number of people who develop CVD, reduce pressure on GPs, keep people out of hospital and increase healthy life expectancy.” Is.”

The PokeDoc test involves a simple five-step process. First, one has to download the Pokedoc app, and then fill out a health questionnaire. Next, patients will have to do a finger prick test and put the sample on a lateral flow test, which takes seven minutes to develop. Finally, patients take a photo of the test using their phone and the Pokedoc app.

Results are received instantly through the app and patients also receive a personalized health assessment.

Steve Rost, CEO and co-founder of PokDoc, said: “The entire PokDoc team is excited to begin our partnership with the AHSN NENC that will provide a step-change increase in access to critical testing for cholesterol.

“The Pokedoc app, quantitative lateral flow testing and digital platforms can keep people out of hospital and ease pressure on GPs, while providing vital treatment for the country’s biggest killer – and one of the NHS’ biggest costs – cardiovascular The number of people receiving may increase. Disease.”

The pilot is funded by the Small Business Research Initiative for Healthcare (SBRI), the Systems Transformation Fund (STF) and the Innovation for Healthcare Inequality Program (INHIP).

In September last year Pokedoc teamed up with Certify to launch a series of remote monitoring pilot schemes for heart disease, which are run in conjunction with the NHS.