Care assistant launched for COVID-19

This approach means Babylon can greatly increase its ability to simultaneously give help to people with questions or concerns, and for whom treatment involves self-isolation, whilst still giving detailed and thorough care to people who need more intensive attention.

The COVID-19 Care Assistant helps patients with each step:

• Inform - Continually-updated information and videos to help people as they self-isolate, care for others and minimise contamination
• Decide - Symptom checker that provides information on possible next steps to be taken, including around self-isolation
• Connect - 24/7 live chat with a trained Babylon team member to discuss COVID-19 concerns and receive information 
• Monitor - Daily in-app logging of symptoms, with informational care plans based on the latest guidance
• Consult - Virtual consultations for those who need them
• Refer - Swift referral to hospital care when needed

The world is struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of overwhelming numbers of patients and overstretched health professionals. Recent projections from the UK government predict that 20% of staff are likely to be ill or in self-isolation during the pandemic’s peak.

As the virus spreads we need ways to help large groups of people while potentially facing a shortage of clinicians. The Babylon COVID-19 Care Assistant combines what they have learned so far to create a comprehensive approach by which the company can help lower risk patients with their needs, whilst freeing up clinicians to focus on the people who need it most. This way Babylon can continue to help patients whether they have COVID-19 or other health conditions.

Dr Ali Parsa, CEO and Founder, Babylon, said: “COVID-19 is the biggest public health threat to our communities for nearly a century and Babylon has a huge obligation to help. We know how hard governments and healthcare systems are working to battle this pandemic and fully support their tireless work.

"We were founded to help tackle the challenges of accessibility and affordability of healthcare for every person on earth by using technology to increase the reach and impact of healthcare professionals. The combination of our technology and clinical service allows our doctors and nurses to use their time for the most suited tasks, whilst amplifying their expertise for the benefit of all our patients. We stand ready to help our communities in any way we can and in any manner they need.”

Babylon will be turning on the COVID-19 Care Assistant for all UK patients in stages over the coming days, and many others soon after. The company want to support all the work being done by the government and health providers in all our countries of service and are engaging with them based on their needs to open this service to them.

They have already built and deployed a digital-first platform that has supported millions of people. This new version is an evolution in how Babylon can reassure, support and assist, whilst increasing the capacity of healthcare professionals to provide care.