Digital health pioneer makes NHS Innovation Accelerator list

Digital health and artificial intelligence pioneer Arjun Panesar has been named in the latest intake of the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) fellowship.

The CEO of Diabetes Digital Media’s (DDM) has been included on the prestigious list alongside DDM’s award-winning Low Carb Program.

The innovation programme aims to help support the NHS to adopt pioneering and innovative initiatives to support the NHS Long Term Plan.

Each fellow was subjected to a “rigorous, multi-stage assessment process” to ensure quality, with a solid bed of evidence needing to be in place to confirm selection.

Almost 400,000 people have joined the Low Carb Program since it was launched on World Diabetes Day in November 2015. Published research has shown it is successful in achieving glycaemic control, weight loss and reducing hypoglycaemic medications.

Earlier this year it was approved into the NHS apps library and last summer the digital health intervention received a CE Mark, leading to registration with the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It has also gained QISMET approval so it can be prescribed on the NHS.

Professor Stephen Powis is the Chair of the NHS Innovation Accelerator Programme Board National Medical Director, NHS England, He said: “The NIA is making an incredible impact on the NHS and the people it serves. As of February 2019, over 1,700 NHS sites are now using NIA.

“Not only are we seeing the benefits for NHS patients and staff, the work of our Fellows is increasingly spreading across the globe, with 21 innovations now deployed internationally. This is a true testament to the essential work of the NIA and its Fellows, and the strength of its national partnership.”

The NIA is an NHS England initiative delivered in partnership with England’s 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), and hosted at UCLPartners. The NIA is recognised and the go-to place for the NHS to find nationally endorsed solutions for critical challenges and top priorities for NHS staff and patients.