Home blood pressure monitoring

New technology that allows patients to monitor their blood pressure at home will be rolled out across Scotland.

The Scale-Up BP initiative reduces the need for GP consultations, and can help to deliver more accurate readings.

Patients are shown how to measure their own blood pressure and text the results to an app called Florence, or Flo. Their GP or practice nurse is then able to monitor the readings, and arrange a face-to-face appointment only when necessary. 

The system has been trialed successfully at more than 150 practices throughout Scotland, with more than 10,000 patients benefitting to date. It will now be extended to other parts of Scotland over the next two years, backed with £1.2 million of investment from the Scottish Government.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman saw the technology first-hand during a visit to Hunter Health Centre in East Kilbride. Ms Freeman said:

“This technology brings significant benefits to patients. It enables them to have more control over how they manage their condition, and greatly cuts down on the number of appointments they have to attend.

“Another benefit is more accurate readings, because we know that some patients experience anxiety when attending appointments, which can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure.

“By investing in improved technology across health and social care, we can improve patients’ experience and outcomes, and free up capacity in the system at the same time.”

Julie Chambers, a patient from East Kilbride who has benefitted from the technology, said: 

“When I discovered I had high blood pressure, it was concerning. However, the prospect of having to go to a doctor’s surgery or clinic to get it regularly checked was enough to raise my blood pressure even higher! Between work and family I lead a very busy lifestyle.

“Being offered the use of Florence was a brilliant alternative – and I think the hassle free-nature of it, without having to commute and take time out of a busy day, probably gave a truer reflection of my day-to-day readings.”

Morag Hearty, NHS Lanarkshire Telehealth manager, and national strategic lead for home and mobile health monitoring, said:

“Home monitoring is a vital component of the transformation of health and care delivery.  It can support people to feel safe and more confident in their everyday life, as well as making sure people are independent where possible.”

Background:

• Measuring blood pressure is the third most common reason for attending primary care appointments in Scotland, with 1.2 million appointments every year.
• Scale-Up BP is part of the wider Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Programme. Established in 2015/16. TEC aims to accelerate the use of proven technology to support people to manage their health and well-being at home, and in their community. This includes Patient to Clinician Video Consultations, Home and Mobile Health Monitoring and Telecare. More than 90,000 people have now benefitted.
• The Florence SMS system is currently used by around 18,000 patients in Scotland for a range of conditions and services, with hypertension management in primary care the most common use.