Tell doctors how you are feeling with a text

GPs plan to roll out the automated mobile phone service in a bid to cut NHS costs and reduce the number of patients attending practices for simple tests.

The pioneering new technology, known as Florence, sees patients taking daily health checks at home or on the move, and submitting their readings via text.

An automated computer system then replies with personalised health tips based on the readings and provides advice including reminders to take medication. It also allows doctors to view and track long-term trends in their patients' health at the click of a button.

Mediaburst, the company behind the technology, said it can be used for any illness and has the potential to save the NHS millions of pounds as well as saving lives.

Patients who already use the service monitor their asthma, pulse, blood glucose, blood oxygen and blood pressure, as well as weight.

Stafford and Surround Clinical Commissioning Group is hoping to roll out the new approach this year.

Paul Meredith, who is tasked with leading health care innovation in Stafford with the CCG, said: "It is something we have been looking at that could bring benefits to patients – and if it does, it is something we should be looking at.

"Anything we can bring in to help patients with managing their conditions or helping the NHS with costs is worth looking at.

"It is exciting and we think it could bring all round benefits."

Mr Meredith is working with 14 GP practices in Stafford to come up with new ideas to transform care in the area.

He hopes new ways of working and best practice can be shared between the different surgeries.

Florence is already being trialled in areas of Wolverhampton, Walsall, and north Staffordshire with more than 2,000 patients across the country signed up to the system.

In April last year 22 diabetes patients in east and south Staffordshire used Florence for 12 weeks during a pilot of the technology.

Results found a 60 per cent reduction in the amount of time it took medical staff to deal with patients.

The Government is pushing for innovation across the NHS and believes that three million people with long-term illness could benefit from schemes such as Florence which means they do not have to leave their homes for tests or to receive results.