A new health technology start-up in Liverpool is encouraging people to take control of their health by using smart diagnostic technology.
Wellnostics was launched this summer by husband and wife team Hugh and Gemma Sheridan with a mission to take the pressure off NHS diagnostic services by making people more educated and ‘healthsmart’.
The couple believes that healthcare resources could be freed up if patients with lifestyle illnesses including diabetes and heart disease use the latest available technology to diagnose, manage and take control of their condition.
CEO Hugh Sheridans being ‘healthsmart’ is all about understanding your own personal health data.
“I know my height but my weight varies and I have no idea whether my vitamin D levels are correct or whether I have a high chance of becoming diabetic. I am positive I have a food intolerance but no idea which food it would be. I’m guessing my heart is healthy but I do have a history in my family of heart attacks.
“This is the point of being healthsmart. If you can manage your own health and record the results on your own phone the vision is that your GP will have the ability to then tap into these vitals and will be able to spot early warning signs. It allows the patient to take control of their own health, prevent things happening rather than fixing the problem – this frees up any health system to focus on those most in need.
“The biggest global public health problem in the next 50 to 100 years will be lifestyle illnesses which can be managed – diabetes and heart disease will dominate and the technology exists today for them to be easily managed at home.
“Wellnostics’ mission is to make this technology as affordable, easy to use and widely available as possible just as video GP services, health insurers discounts and packed GP waiting rooms become more common.”
The company, which launched over the summer, claims to have quickly built up a strong following of people purchasing glucose monitors, test strips, smartphone-connected blood pressure monitors and food intolerance and allergy kits.