Thousands of patients in Warrington are set to receive daily AI-powered health support as local GP practices introduce a new system to help manage long-term conditions and reduce pressure on NHS services.
Warrington Innovation Network (WIN) Primary Care Network (PCN), which covers six surgeries and around 55,000 patients, has partnered with digital health provider Aide Health to roll out the technology.
The service will support people living with conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity and hypertension – three of the biggest contributors to pressure on local health services.
Through short, daily check-ins, the platform helps patients manage their medication, monitor symptoms, identify early warning signs and receive education on their conditions.
The rollout comes as respiratory conditions, including COPD flare-ups, remain the leading cause of A&E visits in Warrington (NHS Confederation, 2023). More than 70% of adults in Warrington are also classified as overweight or obese, well above the national average.
Patients will be invited to join via a text message from their practice, before accessing support through the Aide mobile app.
Dr Dan Bunstone, Clinical Director at WIN PCN, said:
“Too much of chronic disease care is reactive. We see patients when something has already gone wrong. Aide changes that by keeping in touch with patients every day, regardless of their condition, whether that’s COPD, hypertension, or obesity. It means we can support them proactively and pick up on issues before they escalate.”
Brian Snyder, co-founder and COO at Aide Health, added:
“What happens between appointments is critical in managing long-term conditions. By supporting patients with short, daily conversations, we’re helping them stay on track with their treatment and giving clinicians better visibility to intervene earlier when needed.”
Local GP leaders say the initiative will help patients take greater control of their health while easing pressure on overstretched services by delivering asynchronous education and reducing avoidable appointments and hospital visits.
WIN PCN has a strong track record in adopting digital innovation to improve patient outcomes. The programme will focus on improving medication adherence, increasing patient confidence, and expanding access to support between appointments.
Aide Health, launched in 2021, supports patients and clinicians to better manage long-term conditions through a combination of a mobile app and a clinician platform, helping improve shared decision-making and support beyond clinic visits.
