Government to promote development of health apps

Medical professionals and IT developers are being encouraged to submit ideas under a new government initiative to boost the use of health-related apps.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley, speaking during a visit to Evelina Children's Hospital in London, said the government will be accepting submissions for the next six weeks.

A panel of judges including NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh will choose the best examples to showcase at an event later in the year and Mr Lansley described it as "a unique opportunity" for the NHS and app developers.

"Innovation is what will help us create a more modern and personalised NHS for patients," he added.

Investigator at the National Institute for Health Research Dr Shaibal Roy is also on the judging panel and he said he hopes the initiative will result in "completely new ways to help improve outcomes for individuals and their families".

The move comes shortly after the Design Council and the Department of Health teamed up to launch a national challenge aimed at creating new products that can improve the lives of patients with dementia.