Smart technology enables better community care
The physiotherapy symptom checker is not the only way NHFT is investing in technology to support better care and outcomes for our service users - in fact, it's one of many projects being delivered by our adult community healthcare services alone.
Here we take a closer look at some other examples of how we are making a difference, together, through technology in community care.
Wound care made easier by digital sharing
The NHFT Community Nursing team has this year begun using a new digital platform that helps them provide high-quality wound care more quickly and efficiently.
It offers patients the chance to upload photos and videos of their wounds, which clinicians can then instantly access to review and decide on the best treatment.
Use of the platform means patients no longer have to wait for a visit from a community nurse to get the support they need.
"Being able to send a picture to the nurses means my visits can be reduced. This has been a benefit to me and my family as we continue our day-to-day life." Patient feedback
AI notes help clinicians focus on care
NHFT's MSK Physiotherapy team is trialling a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool which helps clinicians create accurate, detailed patient records from appointments.
Clinicians are now able to really focus and engage with their service users as the AI system audio-records (with the patient's permission) their appointment conversations and automatically generates patient notes, which can then be reviewed and edited by the clinician with ease.
It can even be used to generate patient letters in their preferred language.
Advice to help you get better while you wait
Another MSK Physiotherapy project is giving thousands of people access to a self-help app providing support and advice to help them manage their symptoms while they wait for a physiotherapy appointment.
The service is for people who have been referred to MSK Physiotherapy only and since its launch in April 2025, more than 2,400 people have registered and hundreds are making use of the app each month.