Assessing NHS Blood Pressure @home

The challenge

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the NHS undertook several projects to support patients in managing their health from the comfort of their own homes. One initiative was the Blood Pressure @home programme, which has distributed more than 220,000 blood pressure monitors across England.

Patients can now record their blood pressure readings and share them with their GP practices through various channels, including telephone, email, or remote monitoring platforms.

NHS England wanted to understand the impact of this programme and identify best practices for its comprehensive implementation. They asked Kaleidoscope to deliver an impact assessment. Our role was to create a report detailing the programme’s effects and develop a comprehensive service blueprint taking in insights from three stakeholder groups: individuals with lived experience, system partners, and healthcare professionals.

Our approach

We employed a multi-faceted approach to this impact assessment, combining document and metrics review, literature analysis, interviews and the development of a theory of change. This mix of methods ensured a thorough examination of the programme’s impact and best practices.

• Literature and metrics review: data, reports and literature related to the Blood Pressure @home programme were analysed to gain insights into its implementation and outcomes.
• Environmental scan: this included a review of relevant research and best practices in remote patient monitoring and self-management of chronic conditions. Key informant interviews were carried out with stakeholders, including patients, healthcare professionals and system partners. These gathered first-hand accounts of experiences and impact.
• A theory of change was developed to articulate the programme’s intended outcomes and the pathways through which they could be achieved. This framework guided the assessment and helped identify areas for improvement or refinement.

The outcome

The impact assessment resulted in the creation of a report and a service blueprint.

The report detailed the findings of the assessment, highlighting the programme’s impact on various aspects of healthcare delivery, patient engagement and clinical outcomes. It provided insights into the successes, challenges and areas for improvement in the implementation of the Blood Pressure @home programme.

The service blueprint was developed by drawing on the assessment’s findings and stakeholder inputs. It served as a roadmap for healthcare professionals, project managers and system partners involved in rolling out and implementing the programme in their respective areas. It outlined best practices, processes and strategies to ensure consistent and effective delivery.

Both the report and service blueprint were designed to support NHS England to understand the impact of the programme and equip teams with the tools and guidance they needed. Healthcare providers can now support patients better to self-manage their blood pressure and overall health and wellbeing.

As remote patient monitoring and self-management initiatives continue to gain prominence, the insights gained will shape future programmes and ensure their successful integration into healthcare.

The Kaleidoscope team translated insights from the evaluation into a practical and user friendly service blueprint. They were flexible, adaptable and delivered the brief to a high standard; we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them for similar evaluation or service development work.

Benita Edge, Programme Lead, Delivery Unit, Chief Operating Officer Directorate, NHS England