SmartCareCF: Improving the delivery and quality of care for people with cystic fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Contact: Laura McHale, Senior Philanthropy Manager, Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The number of adults in the UK with cystic fibrosis is increasing by 250 a year. Health care for these patients is provided through specialist cystic fibrosis centres across the UK. Patients attend one of these centres every 2–3 months, regardless of their condition status. There is a high risk of stable patients getting an infection during these routine hospital visits – these infections can potentially be life threatening.

SmartCareCF is a pilot project aimed at addressing the problems with delivering health services for the growing number of cystic fibrosis patients. It will use smart technologies to provide safe, home-based management of cystic fibrosis.

Patients will be provided with bluetooth devices, linked to a smartphone, which will measure the key parameters of their wellbeing, including lung function, intestinal function, infection and general wellness. Consultations via video link and remote monitoring will also be part of this project.

Patients and their physicians will work together to set the parameters which flag the need for intervention. Patients will be given the tools and support needed to recognise when they are becoming sick – and so when expert specialist intervention is required. And when they are well, they do not have to have the disruption of routine clinic visits.

SmartcareCF will empower people with cystic fibrosis to manage their condition and enable care from specialist centres to be tailored to patient needs.

The project team is aiming to use this project as a test-bed for home-based approaches for people with chronic conditions.