Isla Health’s digital platform is utilised by around 80 clinical teams at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH). Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM) conducted an evaluation focussed on outpatient clinics across four specialities: Neurology, Dermatology, Allergy, and Burns Care.

The company took part in HIEM’s East Midlands Digital Health Accelerator in 2022 and we have continued to provide support – funding this recent evaluation in Nottingham.

Isla Health was first piloted at NUH between 2020 and 2021. This most recent evaluation shows that the platform has facilitated streamlined processes, reduced the need for face-to-face appointments, and improved productivity. 

It has reduced the duration of follow-up appointments, averaging a 22-minute saving per session across all departments and has enabled a significant reduction in patient wait times from referral to treatment by an average of 35 days.

The evaluation also showed that using Isla has resulted in the trust receiving net non-cash releasing benefits of approximately £10,000 per year, indicating a benefit of £1.30 for every £1 spent on the platform. Environmental impact analysis also suggests that Isla's remote review capabilities have led to a reduction of CO2 emissions by an estimated 3,107 kg due to fewer patients travelling to appointments.

An innovation insights webinar will take place on 11th September 12:00 – 13:00 for health and care professionals to learn more about the evaluation of this project and how it could be spread further in the East Midlands. 

Nick Hamilton, Digital Health Navigator said: “Health Innovation East Midlands is delighted to have supported Nottingham University Hospitals Trust in demonstrating the considerable benefits of using innovative digital health technologies like Isla across their outpatient services. 

We continue to work with Isla as alumni of our East Midlands Digital Health Accelerator, with the ambition that more patients and NHS organisations in our region can unlock these benefits for themselves, helping to address key priorities such as reducing NHS waiting lists.

We’re grateful to our independent evaluation partners at Edge Health for producing a high quality and impactful output.” 

Register for the innovation insights webinar here.