At-home blood and DNA tests from a Cardiff firm can now be integrated into the Patients Know Best (PKB) personal health record platform.
Thanks to a partnership between MyHealthChecked and PKB, patients can see all their data stored on the NHS App. Patients register for a PKB record and then link it via their MyHealthChecked dashboard, and results are then viewable in the NHS App.
PKB is currently undergoing its first trial in Wales within Hywel Dda University Health Board, Swansea Bay University Health Board, and at kidney centres in North Wales and Cardiff. PKB has successfully integrated its digital platform with national data systems, enabling patients across these health boards to receive lab test results, appointment letters, and clinic letters instantly within their PKB record.
Martin Bevan, Group Medical Director for Neath Port Talbot and Singleton hospitals, said:
“We have listened to our patients who have told us they want to feel empowered to manage their conditions. Swansea Bay Patient Portal (PKB) improves the ability of patients to be involved in their own care and have a meaningful dialogue with their clinicians.”
Penny McCormick, CEO at MyHealthChecked, said:
“Our partnerships with PKB and UK retailers are integral in helping us support customers to make informed decisions about their health, with the aim of living healthier, and hopefully, for longer.
“For the first time, customers taking one of our at-home Blood or DNA tests will be able to link their test results into their patient record and access these via the NHS App. Through our supply into retailers like Boots and our partnership with PKB, we have achieved an important step in expanding accessibility of our self-test results into a single data-set, empowering patients with insights and advice about their results, with a long-term aim to help ease the pressure on the health system.”
PKB is citizen-controlled single patient record which integrates data sources from NHS and non-NHS health providers as well as devices and information from the patient themselves. Last month PKB achieved an all-England launch of GP data integration, a major milestone in their rollout plan to provide patients with access to their data in one place.
Dr Mohammad Al-Ubaydli, CEO of Patients Know Best, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome MyHealthChecked as a partner. With the PKB integration, patients can now have their MyHealthChecked test results alongside all their other health information in one secure place. Importantly, by integrating with PKB, they can not only see these results within the NHS App but can also choose to proactively securely share their test results with their GP or other healthcare professionals. This fosters informed discussions where needed, and supports accessible, preventive healthcare services from home, reducing pressure on NHS primary care settings.”
The range from MyHealthChecked includes tests that assess thyroid function and cholesterol levels, and checks related to health areas like healthy weight, vitamins and minerals, and food intolerances.
The range has been developed to show parity with standard NHS tests, and uses ISO 15189-accredited laboratories in line with NHS testing facilities, but that can be used at home. Samples are then posted to UK laboratories where they are analysed, and the results are screened before sharing with the patient.
