Patients could be monitored via NHS App

IN BRIEF

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DOZENS of new pilot schemes will give patients with certain conditions direct access to specialists through the NHS App, removing the need to travel for a hospital appointment.

Self-reporting health information such as blood pressure and oxygen levels using technology could help reduce pressure on the health service ahead of winter, officials said.

A shift to remote monitoring could free up 500,000 hospital appointments a year once fully rolled out, according to the Government. It comes as the NHS launches a world-first trial looking at how to support people with motor neurone disease (MND) remotely.