Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust created ChatHealth – an SMS text messaging helpline that gives 11-19 year olds remote access to a school nurse.
With school nurses spread thin – only 1,200 school nurses for 200,000 schools – help can be hard to access. ChatHealth allows nurses to access messages from pupils via a secure digital system. They can respond to questions on a variety of health issues – from mental health and relationships to drugs and alcohol – with professional advice, while the system offers a range of risk management features.
IE was commissioned to design the look and feel of a mobile optimised, instant messaging app. This introduced improved security for users, allowing them to remain anonymous and conceal messages from prying eyes. The app also allows users to search for services based on location, so they can more easily access to specialist, relevant advice.
The service has been rolled out across many regions of the UK, supporting young people from as far afield as Suffolk, Sussex and the Pennines.