CASE STUDIES

• Patient Centred Software Ltd
• Research Instruments Ltd
• TRAC Services

REPORTS

Medical and Health

Overview
Patient Centred Software Limited is the brainchild of Dr
Rupert Jones and Dr David Wade. Dr Jones, is a GP with a
special interest in in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD), a progressive and incurable disease that affects one
in seven people in the UK alone. Aware that sufferers of COPD
have a major health problem which causes a lot of anxiety
and disability, Dr Jones wanted to encourage a system where
all sufferers could have the best treatment. The condition
needs careful and complex management, which is time consuming
and difficult to deliver effectively in normal general
practice. Effective management not only helps patients but
reduces the burden on the NHS. Dr Jones teamed up with his
long time friend Dr Wade, an IT specialist, to develop unique
software - COPDSoft - that support practitioners in delivering
more effective management of the disease.
Dr Jones said "I have studied and witnessed the devastating
impact COPD has on people's lives and thought there must
be a way to increase their quality of life. The clinical assessments
are often lengthy and worrying for patients. Additionally,
many medical practitioners are not specialists in this
field, which can further complicate the assessment process.
While no cure exists, COPDSoft is designed primarily to assist
patients in understanding their disease, how best to manage
their condition and improve their well-being."
Development of the programme began in Plymouth, where
the initial academic project on COPD had been undertaken.
Trials for the software were carried out across the UK in 2005
and received positive feedback from both patients and the
medical community. In early 2006, Dr Wade decided to move
the business to Cornwall. The county is close to his heart
having spent many childhood holidays on the coast. Dr Wade,
believes the company will thrive in Cornwall and was attracted
to the county's innovative streak. "I have always loved Cornwall.
Moving the business here seemed the obvious next step
for us. We wanted to work in an environment which encouraged
creativity. I see Cornwall as the centre of invention.after
all steam engines were created here! The innovative and
entrepreneurial culture is still alive, so a great place to start a
business."
Dr Jones added "Cornwall has a very high standard of General
Practice, made up of well educated individuals who are
keen to develop new systems and open to different ideas to
improve patient care. Therefore, we both felt Cornwall provided
our business with a solid foundation to grow from. "

Technology
The software for COPDSoft is easy to install (working on
any Windows XP-based PC) and straightforward to use. The
system is able to analyse the clinical assessment undertaken
by the nurse or health care assistant, then the patient carries
out a set of self-complete questions. The whole process
takes 40-60 minutes. A report is then generated for both
the clinician and the patient containing advice on disease
management (in line with NICE guidelines) including drugs,
rehabilitation and oxygen therapy.

Clients
The company's first product, COPDSoft, was launched in
November 2006. However the software has already been
trialled in North Devon, West Midlands and East Anglia.
Patients' feedback has been exemplary and clinicians have
quickly felt the benefits as well.

Support
According to Dr Jones "We have been very impressed by
Cornwall's business support networks, which have made our
lives easier in promoting our business, meeting the right contacts
and actively demonstrating the benefits of COPDSoft."
Dr Wade concluded "Cornwall Pure Business has provided us
with invaluable guidance and resource with regards to the
promotion of the launch of COPDSoft. We very much hope
that COPDSoft is a success, as fundamentally this software
will help change peoples lives for the better."