Case Study: Dignio

The Dignio Integrated Care Platform

Who they are

Dignio are a Norwegian medical technology firm, who have developed the Dignio Integrated Care Platform. It’s an easy to use connected care solution, which uses bluetooth linked devices and smartphone apps to alert professionals if they need to act. Health and social care teams across a region can use Dignio to monitor a single illness pathway or a range of conditions.

The Dignio system has significantly reduced hospital admissions and is helping to saving millions of pounds in healthcare costs. Dignio is helping to keep people out of hospital and in the safe hands of their care team in the comfort of their home.

What they’re doing in Greater Manchester

The data system is being implemented in Salford, with healthcare teams in Salford Royal Care Organisation piloting the use of this technology to treat vulnerable heart failure patients during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

They have also seen adoption of the app in Stockport with Mastercall Healthcare, a social enterprise not for profit provider of NHS healthcare. This has seen hospital admissions drop by almost 40% and has saved the NHS more than two-million pounds.

Impact

Although face-to-face appointments are still required for patients with heart failure problems, the COVID-19 pandemic means that vulnerable patients require remote care to monitor their conditions. With the help of this system, patients can still receive care whilst social distancing and without having to come into a hospital.

How they’ve worked with Health Innovation Manchester & STEP INto Healthcare

Dignio joined Health Innovation Manchester’s STEP INto Healthcare programme as part of cohort 14 in order to understand more about working with the NHS.

This ERDF support programme aims to help Greater Manchester SME’s develop their products and pitch for the healthcare sector, delivering training sessions that cover the healthcare landscape, procurement, value proposition and much more.

Since completing the STEP INto Healthcare programme, Dignio have been accepted into the Greater Manchester Research and Innovation Health Accelerator to further their understanding and engagement with the health and care system within Greater Manchester.

Ewa G Truchanowicz, Managing Director at Dignio, said: “The pragmatic, industry-centric approach from Health Innovation Manchester, and understanding of the challenges SMEs face when interacting with the NHS, were reassuring from the start of our interactions. The STEP INto Healthcare programme was incredibly well structured, and the speakers shared pertinent expertise and guidance focused on action, and not just theory.

“We decided to apply for the accelerator programme since we have been already working with Mastercall in Stockport since 2019, and are keen to grow a team in GM. We have found the innovation support ecosystem, including MIDAS and Bionow, well aligned with the needs of a company trying to succeed in the UK market.”

Find out more about Dignio and their work in Greater Manchester in this film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M8LoTR-ZtI