Digital Health Drive to Tackle CKD in the North East
A transformative new health initiative has begun across the North East and North Cumbria as NHS leaders roll out the Healthinote digital platform to better support patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Affecting around one in ten UK adults, CKD has become a growing health concern – particularly in some of the region’s most deprived communities, where prevalence is significantly higher than the national average.
This year-long rollout is part of the SPOT CKD programme (Screening, Prevention, Outreach and Treatment for Health Equity), a collaborative effort between the local Integrated Care Board (ICB), Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria, and pharmaceutical leader Boehringer Ingelheim.
At its core, the initiative is designed to promote early detection, prevention, and better management of CKD – ensuring patients are equipped with the right tools and support to take control of their health.
Putting Kidney Health Front and Centre
At the heart of the programme is Kidney Essentials, a digital, multilingual resource co-developed by patients and clinicians to simplify the often complex nature of chronic kidney disease.
Delivered through Healthinote – a trusted, NHS-approved health information platform – the tool empowers patients with accessible information to help them make informed decisions alongside their healthcare teams.
The content spans multiple languages and formats to ensure it reaches as many individuals as possible, breaking down common barriers to health literacy. By improving patients’ understanding of their condition, Kidney Essentials is designed not only to enhance consultations but to reduce unnecessary appointments and streamline the workload for overstretched clinicians.
Consultant Nephrologist and CKD Lead for the region, commented that the rollout of the Kidney Essentials programme via the Healthinote platform marks a major step forward in addressing health inequalities across the North East and North Cumbria.
Furthermore, with CKD on the rise, Cognitant’s digital resources offer patients the tools they need to better understand and manage their condition – ultimately transforming how they deliver kidney care.
Driving Health Equity Through Digital Innovation
The SPOT CKD programme isn’t just a clinical initiative – it’s a commitment to improving outcomes in areas most affected by health inequality. By focusing on high-risk populations and embedding digital education into the care pathway, the programme reinforces the NHS’s ambition to shift more care into the community and invest in preventative measures.
A spokesperson from Boehringer Ingelheim echoed this sentiment, saying that the SPOT CKD programme is about more than technology – it’s about levelling the playing field and enabling better access to healthcare for those who do not or cannot access the care they need. It’s an important step toward true health equity.
With the integration of Cognitant Group’s resources into everyday NHS workflows, the impact is expected to be both immediate and long-term – freeing up time for frontline staff while giving patients greater agency over their health journeys.
The CEO of Cognitant Group praised the initiative, noting that this is a perfect example of how digital health services can be successfully integrated into the NHS. They are proud to support patients and clinicians with engaging, accessible information that makes a real difference to outcomes.
A Healthier Future Through Empowerment
As CKD continues to place strain on healthcare systems across the United Kingdom, initiatives like SPOT CKD are reshaping the way people think about chronic disease management.
By putting proactive care and digital empowerment at the forefront, North East and North Cumbria NHS is setting a new standard for how long-term conditions are understood and treated.
In conclusion
The rollout of Healthinote’s Kidney Essentials under the SPOT CKD programme is more than a technological upgrade – it’s a movement towards fairer, more informed, and more efficient healthcare.
With a strong emphasis on education, prevention, and patient empowerment, this initiative not only aligns with national health priorities but serves as a blueprint for how digital innovation can address some of the country’s most persistent health challenges.
News Credits: North East NHS launches digital platform to tackle chronic kidney disease
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