New paediatric app launched

‘HANDi’ is a new paediatric app developed in collaboration between North West Surrey CCG and Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals which provides advice and support to Ashford and St Peter’s families, parents and carers living across North West Surrey if their children have symptoms of common childhood illness.

The aim of the ‘HANDi’ App is to empower parents/carers with knowledge to recognise when their child is unwell but can be looked after at home or when they need to see a GP or go to A&E.

Jo Gravier, NW Surrey’s commissioning programme manager for children and young people, who initiated the funding bid, said: “We understand that parents may feel the need to head to A&E when their child shows signs of being unwell but in many cases, a lot of minor ailments could be treated in alternative ways. The ‘HANDi’ app is designed to give parents confidence in dealing with minor conditions themselves at home or the most appropriate place to seek support.”

Fizz Izagaren, trainee paediatrician at Ashford and St Peter’s, said: “The ‘HANDi’ app is designed to empower parents, and has been designed using the latest NICE and RCPCH Guidelines plus clinical knowledge.

“It includes illness-specific home assessment for six common childhood illnesses: diarrhoea and vomiting; high temperature; chesty baby (bronchiolitis); chesty child (wheeze and asthma); abdominal pain; and common new-born problems.

“Each of the six illnesses has a home care plan that can be printed out to help parents and carers provide the best support for their child, and give them confidence in caring for their children when they are unwell.”