'Using tech to bring care closer to home frees up hospital appointments for those who truly need them...'

New NHS trials will harness technology so patients can be treated remotely 'without an unnecessary trip to hospital'

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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.

Many of the 45 pilots taking place at 37 trusts across England will focus on five specialisms: ear, nose, and throat (ENT); gastroenterology; respiratory medicine; urology; and cardiology.

They will allow patients to use the NHS App to fill in forms rather than attending hospital.