Bristol Health Partners support new coronavirus info app for the UK

A new free-to-download app to help people navigate the coronavirus pandemic has been launched for Apple and Android devices. The ‘Coronavirus Support App (UK)’ has been created by Expert Self Care with support from Bristol Health Partners and eight other partner organisations.

People need easy access to reliable information to avoid getting infected with coronavirus, reduce the risk of giving it to other people, know what to do if they do get ill and cope with the practical, social and financial consequences of the pandemic.

The app is aimed at people in the UK who would like to learn more about coronavirus and COVID-19. Accurate information can help people to protect themselves, the people close to them and the wider public, and reduce avoidable pressure on the NHS.

The app aims to help by giving users easy and quick access to evidence-informed information about coronavirus and COVID-19 all in one place, even when offline. It also signposts to reliable, trusted sources of information.

The Coronavirus Support App (UK) answers key questions like who is at risk, what the symptoms are and how to stay healthy during lockdown. It also offers advice for a range of situations, including for anyone feeling anxious, at risk of domestic violence and abuse, or in need of medical treatment.

The app has been created by Expert Self Care, an award-winning Bristol-based health information app provider certified by the NHS England Information Standard as a provider of reliable health information, together with a team of volunteers made up of UK health professionals, topic experts and members of the public. Development partners include:

• Bristol Health Partners
• National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West)
• Patient Information Forum
• Self Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) at Imperial College London
• Self Care Forum
• Self Injury Support
• Student Minds
• Universities UK
• WellAware

Lisa King, Chief Operating Officer at Bristol Health Partners said: “To help people protect themselves and their families from the effects of COVID-19, it is vital that there are accurate and easy to access resources available. As an organisation based on collaboration with a focus on public health, we are delighted to support Expert Self Care’s coronavirus information app as it offers the best and latest information and guidance curated from trusted sources.”

Expert Self Care is led by Dr Knut Schroeder, a practising GP and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol. The company has a track record of creating free evidence-based apps that people can rely on, having developed apps on student health and self-harm in the past. In 2019, Expert Self Care won the British Medical Association ‘Patient Information Award’ for wellbeing.

Dr Schroeder said: “In the current crisis, reliable information is more important than ever. We designed this app to bring together all the best sources of information on coronavirus. False information leads to rumours and myths that can hamper public health efforts, which may result in preventable disease and deaths.

“We haven’t received any external funding for this app and it’s available to download for free, so we are grateful to the team of volunteers who have made this app possible. They have been amazing during a very difficult time for everyone.”

The app is available free-to-download:

• iPhone – Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/coronavirus-support-app-uk/id1504739843?ls=1
• Android – Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.expertselfcare.covid_19

For further details contact [email protected].