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Business UpdateJul 10, 2024

Physio Helen Robson is 'delighted' by decision to extend Connect Health and EQL partnership

Connect Health and EQL – the companies behind the pioneering digital healthcare tool called PhysioNow – announced earlier this week (9 July) that they are extending their business partnership.

PhysioNow has been used to support more than 200,000 NHS patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) issues since being launched in 2020. The tool offers remote triage access and care to NHS patients with spine problems, back and hip pain, and other conditions. It was introduced in July 2020, following an accelerated launch at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Powered by the Phio-Access triage tool, the platform relies on clinically-developed algorithms to navigate more than 3,000 scenarios and match patients with the most appropriate medical support. Senior Connect Health clinicians were involved in its design and ongoing developments.

Demonstrating its efficiency in identifying the right treatment pathways, data show that 23 per cent of Connect Health’s MSK service users had a ‘sub-acute’ (recent onset or rapid change) outcome for which they received timely support. 

The tool can also help patients to fully ‘self-manage’ their MSK condition digitally and remotely, where appropriate, accessing exercises and advice, guided by a Connect Health clinician.  

Photo Credit: Connect Health
Jason Ward (EQL), Helen Robson and Helen Faulds (Connect Health), Peter Grinbergs (EQL)

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As the UK’s largest independent MSK and pain services provider, Connect Health has always been passionate about innovating healthcare and using technology to optimise resource, to empower and bring better outcomes for patients [Helen Robson]

Other highlights include

  • four patients in10 (41 per cent) used the tool outside of core office hours
  • almost half (49 per cent) of all patients sought help for spinal problems, while 12 per cent and 10 per cent reported hip and knee conditions, respectively.
  • eight in 10 (81%) said they would recommend PhyioNow to friends and family’, and more than two thirds (69 per cent) felt they received faster access to physiotherapy services because of it.
  • about on patient on five (22%) the tool is aged over 65-plus
  • most (89 per cent) used a mobile devise to accessed PhysioNow on a mobile device, and the average assessment lasts 22 minutes

Helen Robson, a physiotherapist by background who is Connect Health’s head of clinical integration and transformation, welcomed the decision to renew the partnership. 'We’re delighted to mark four years of PhysioNowby renewing our partnership with EQL.

‘As the UK’s largest independent MSK and pain services provider, Connect Health has always been passionate about innovating healthcare and using technology to optimise resource, to empower and bring better outcomes for patients,' she added.

Jason Ward, EQL chief executive and co-founder, said: ‘EQL is happy to have extended our collaboration with Connect Health to empower more NHS patients to better manage their MSK health and recovery. There’s an important place for clinically-led tech tools like PhysioNow to be made available to patients across the country.’

About EQL

EQL was co-founded by health entrepreneur Jason Ward, physiotherapist Peter Grinbergs and operations expert Samantha Medcraft to improve access to 'world-class' MSK care. The EQL team built a digital, AI-powered platform, Phio, through which people are quickly directed to the right source of support for their muscle or joint problems, or provided with resources for self-management.

Currently, patients access Phio via their employers or their insurers. Increasing numbers of NHS organisations are partnering with EQL to give patients on MSK waiting lists free access to the platform.

Author: Ian A McMillan
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