New app for Southport hospital visitors

Southport hospital is one of the first in the country to benefit from a new way-finding app.

It has been developed by Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust in partnership with Liverpool company Innove Solutions.

It will enable visitors and patients to get familiar with the layout of the hospital before they arrive.

The free app, which is available on Apple and Android, displays a series of photographs with clear instructions on getting around. It can even function without internet connection.

Rob Gillies, Trust executive medical director, said: “Hospitals can sometimes be daunting places to get around. This new app will help make visits to the hospital run more smoothly.

“We are delighted to work with Innove on this pilot app which is very user friendly. There are clear instructions on getting to all departments at the hospital from whichever entrance people arrive at.” Innove photographers spent three days at the hospital carefully plotting routes to get to all wards and departments.

John Keogh, director, Innove Solutions said: “This is the very first hospital app we’ve developed. It’s been exciting to work with the Trust to make getting around the hospital easier.

“We are delighted with the results and hope the public who visit Southport hospital find it really useful. Our work on this pilot app has informed how we develop future apps in the NHS. We are working with three other NHS trusts to develop similar way-finding apps.”

App features include:

•Transport advice.

•Step-by-step directions to wards and facilities across the site.

•Key hospital phone numbers, car parking information and cashpoint locations.

•Friends and family test.

The Trust hopes to expand the app to Ormskirk hospital in the future and is exploring other ways of engaging with patients and visitors digitally.