A NEW app, designed to bring health services closer to patients, has been launched by Southern Health.

The free smart phone app, which will help the public and GPs, works as a directory, giving users a way to get quick and easy information on local health services available from Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Martyn Diaper, medical director for Southern Health, said: “Technology has an increasingly important role to play in how we deliver care in the NHS.

“At Southern Health we want to make it easier for patients to learn about and access our services.

“For GPs we hope the app will become an indispensable reference when reviewing a patient’s care, whether in the surgery or in a patient’s home.”

The app has a built-in location device which highlights services in the user’s area, and includes opening times and details of how to be referred.

It is also designed to help doctors by providing information on how to refer patients into Southern Health services, and acts like a secure calendar and planner for GPs and doctors.

The app is free of charge to download via the Apple App store or Google Play.

To download the app, search for Southern Health on your app store and then install the software as instructed.