Supporting hospitals to reduce face-to-face appointments and improve productivity

Isla Health is a secure digital pathway platform empowering patients to manage their own care and communicate proactively with their care team. By sharing media diagnostics (photos, videos, forms, and sound recordings), patients and their clinical teams can facilitate remote monitoring, improve triage, reduce unnecessary appointments, and optimise care delivery.

Healthcare systems are under increasing pressure, driven by an ageing population and patients with more complex needs.

The increase in the number of outpatient referrals post-pandemic, combined with delivery capacity constraints from the healthcare providers, has resulted in an increasing backlog and longer waiting times for diagnosis and treatment. These delays can affect the quality and efficiency of care for patients.

HIEM has worked extensively with Isla Health as an alumnus of the 2022 Digital Health Accelerator, now known as Grow Digital Health Midlands. HIEM commissioned Edge Health to evaluate Isla’s impact at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which concluded in May 2024. HIEM continues to work with Isla to disseminate the findings and support further NHS spread and adoption.

Impacts 2024-2025

Reduced the length of follow-up appointments by an average of 22 minutes, cutting the time patients waited for treatment by an average of 35 days.

Saved the NHS around £10,000 over the year – a benefit of £1.30 for every £1 of NHS funding spent on the platform.

Reduced carbon emissions by an estimated 3,107 kg thanks to fewer patients travelling to appointments.

Staff experience has been positive, with people saying it improved clinical decision- making, enhanced patient safety and privacy, and increased staff satisfaction.