Part of the North West London (NWL) Mission to optimise long-term conditions involves identifying, testing and evaluating promising innovations that can make a real difference in detecting, preventing and optimising cardiorenal metabolic health (CRM).
As part of a new, regular ‘Innovation Spotlight’ feature, we’ll be showcasing innovations of interest, sharing examples of innovation in action through local success stories, and promoting opportunities for collaboration, learning, and funding across our research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem.
Innovations of interest
A summary of some of the standout innovators making waves in cardiorenal metabolic care: from smarter screening, digital self-management, and community powered fitness, these solutions are helping NWL tackle long-term conditions in fresh and impactful ways.
1. Aide Health: Smarter self-management for long-term conditions
Aide Health uses conversational AI to help patients stick to their meds, track symptoms, and learn about their condition, boosting confidence and saving clinical time. It describes itself as ‘like having a digital health coach in your pocket’.
2. PocDoc: Heart health checks, anywhere
PocDoc brings full cardiovascular risk assessments out of clinics and into communities. With a 10-minute test and app-based results, it’s making heart health screening faster, easier, and more accessible.
3. Swing Fitness: Outdoor strength for heart health
Swing turns parks and public spaces into smart fitness zones. Their app-connected strength stations help people get moving, supporting cardiovascular health through fun, accessible exercise.
Innovation in action
Community Health Pods
Brent Health Matters – a joint initiative between Brent Council and the NHS in NWL – has introduced self-service Health Check Pods in community locations such as Willesden Green and Harlesden libraries, and Chalkhill Community Centre.
These user-friendly pods from Microtech Group allow residents to measure their blood pressure, monitor heart rate, complete stress and anxiety questionnaires, and even take instant blood tests straight from their local library.
Crucially, this initiative integrates the pods with NHS systems, linking readings directly to approximately a dozen GP practices from Kilburn to Kingsbury. This seamless connection ensures that critical health data reaches primary care teams automatically, enabling timely clinical review and intervention, a marked improvement over standalone kiosks where users must self-report the results.
To date, the pods have recorded over 1,000 interactions, showcasing strong community engagement and uptake. Users reported feeling reassured:
“It’s easy to use and a good idea to have the pod here… it makes me feel reassured that I can get information about my health right here.”
ICHP is now scaling this success by supporting the rollout of more Microtech Community Health Pods across NWL, bringing convenient, connected health checks even closer to the community.
Stay connected and get involved
For more information about any of the innovations included in this ‘Innovation Spotlight’, to share an innovative project you’re working on, or to suggest an idea for future features, please get in touch with the Mission Team.
Email: cardiovascular@imperialcollegehealthpartners.com
