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NHS England has announced a programme to provide NHS staff with evidence-based digital programmes to protect their mental health during the COVID-19 response. The apps are designed to help maintain healthy sleep, and reduce anxiety.

Sleepio is an automated digital self-help app based on cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. It was built by Colin Espie, Professor of Sleep Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Co-Founder of digital therapeutics company Big Health. Subsequent research by Espie and his team has demonstrated the efficacy and safety of Sleepio, and provided a platform for recognition of the value of digital therapeutics more widely in the NHS and other workplaces internationally.

Fifteen NHS trusts and six GP practices have already rolled out access to Sleepio and Daylight, an app designed to help with worry and anxiety. These apps have now been made freely available to all NHS employees across the country in partnership with NHS England.

Professor Colin Espie has praised NHS England’s quick response in protecting the mental health of NHS staff as well as their physical health during the pandemic. He said: ‘I’m honoured that Big Health is able to support our colleagues in the NHS to help safeguard their mental health during these most challenging of times. NHS staff are working under enormous pressure while also experiencing significant changes to their lives at home as a result of COVID-19.’

To learn how to gain access to Daylight and Sleepio for your staff, please email ceo@bighealth.com

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