GP surgery uses latest technology to help patients in rural communities

The service has been launched by Ilkley Moor Medical Practice, to help patients who take the blood-thinning medication warfarin, and have to visit their local clinic every few weeks to have a simple test to check how quickly their blood clots.

For those living in rural communities this could mean long car journeys - but this is a test that they could do at home.

The service created by digital health company Inhealthcare, based in Harrogate, is set to help up to 100 patients across Ilkley, Addingham and Grassington, who currently take warfarin and it will also free up valuable nursing and GP time by reducing the number of face-to-face visits.

“In such a rural place like here in Ilkley it’s not always easy for our patients, who are mostly of the older generation, to visit the clinic on a fortnightly basis. Not only do these visits have an impact on their lives, but they also affect the lives of other, more complex patients who require more time with nurses and doctors,” said GP, Dr Mark French.

With the new service, the patient takes a finger prick blood sample and inserts it into a self-testing device, and then sends their new reading online or via telephone.

The data is integrated into the patient’s records and the technology relays the patient’s new warfarin dose back to them.

The service gives patients the freedom to live a normal life, enabling them to go on holiday, and still send in their readings remotely. 

They will no longer have to take regular time off work, pay for travel or car parking costs.