ILKLEY patients are among the first to use a new self-testing mobile app that connects warfarin users directly to their doctors.

The blood thinning drug is typically prescribed to people who have have suffered a heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Users must take regular blood tests to make sure their dose is correct and have previously had to attend a warfarin clinic an average of 14 times a year.

Ilkley Moor Medical Practice has this year pioneered digital self-monitoring for its warfarin patients using technology from digital health specialist Inhealthcare. Patients have been able to use automated telephone calls or the internet to send their readings to clinicians via the company’s technology.

Now the Harrogate-based company has designed the app to give users greater choice and convenience. Bryn Sage, chief executive at Inhealthcare, said: “This is yet another communications channel for our self-testing service.

"For digital health to work at scale, it needs to be accessible and inclusive. A lot of our development work has been to ensure that older people who are less confident using new technology are able to benefit from the increased freedom that digital health can bring.

“This new app is for the smartphone natives who lead busy lives and are always connected to the internet. Inhealthcare is constantly innovating as a company to bring free healthcare to people through the channels they want and expect to use.

“Instead of going to a clinic for a day, patients will be able to take their own readings and send their personal data safely and securely to their GPs via their smartphone.

"We are bridging the gap between their expectations as 21st century consumers and a healthcare system still rooted in the 20th century."

Patients have welcomed the launch of the app. Martin Smith, a 59-year-old who founded and runs a successful marketing business, has been taking warfarin for the last six years since suffering a heart attack.

Before starting to self-test, he used to visit the warfarin clinic in Ilkley, every fortnight or month. He said: “I’m a big advocate for warfarin as it has allowed me to extend my working life. I welcome self-testing because it allows me to juggle my work obligations as well as my personal life and also plan our holidays. It just works for me.

“Self-testing has allowed me to understand how warfarin works and helps me to stay in the ideal therapeutic range to keep myself as fit and healthy as possible. My readings are more consistent. It also helps me to follow a good diet and reminds me to avoid food and drink that cause reactions like broccoli and cranberries.

“Previously it was a fortnight or a month between clinics and a fair bit can happen in that period. Now I can just test myself and ring the nurse for any advice.

“This new app is really positive for anybody that is still actively working. It is so portable. I can test myself on the train going up and down from London.”