NHS organisations in Devon have launched a new mobile app which will give parents in Devon up-to-date advice about common childhood illnesses and how to treat them.

NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS NEW Devon CCG), Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (NDHT), the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E) and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust (PHT) have worked in partnership to launch the app.

The HANDi paediatric app – developed by Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust – is now available to download for free onto any Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.

The app has been designed as a way to reduce the number of children and young people who visit A&E but need no treatment.

It has been developed by paediatric consultants and will give parents access to home care plans, as well as GP and hospital clinical guidelines, for the most common childhood health care concerns.

The app contains information about when and how to ask for help, along with what to expect when your child is being assessed.

The conditions covered are: diarrhoea and vomiting, chesty baby’ illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, asthma and croup, chesty child’ illnesses, such as wheezing and asthma, high temperature, abdominal pain and common newborn problems.

The app takes parents through a series of questions about the symptoms their child is experiencing and then advises on the best course of action, whether that’s to treat at home, to make a GP appointment, to go to a minor injuries unit or walk-in centre, or to head to A&E.