The North East and North Cumbria (NENC) region has allocated £1.5 million in WorkWell funding to six digital health solutions as part of the larger WorkWell programme. This local pilot, situated in one of England’s three Health and Growth Accelerator areas, aims to help people manage health conditions and remain in employment. The WorkWell programme is a collaborative initiative supported by the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria (HI NENC), local councils, the Department for Work and Pensions, and voluntary sector partners, with the goal of integrating health support and employment services to reduce the impact of ill-health on the economy.
These technologies will be piloted through regional WorkWell services and address critical areas like digital mental health, musculoskeletal (MSK) care, and menopause support. Recognising that conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma are major drivers of work-related ill-health, three of the six awards focus on digital mental health: Dr Julian, a 24/7 online platform offering virtual appointments and specialist support; Tellmi, which uses anonymised peer support for early intervention; and XR Therapeutics, which employs virtual and extended reality for treating anxiety, PTSD, and phobias.
The remaining projects tackle other common causes of absence and reduced working capacity. These include Sword Health’s Thrive, a digital physiotherapy-style service for MSK care, and the Sunderland Integrated Musculoskeletal Service Support, which provides accessible digital exercise content. Additionally, the Virtual Menopause Clinics, developed by the Hartlepool and Stockton GP Federation, aims to expand access to expert menopause care, including out-of-hours appointments, for women whose symptoms affect their professional and personal lives.
Samantha Allen, Chief Executive of the NENC ICB, emphasised WorkWell as a key regional priority, noting that the digital innovations will help people access faster, easier support, benefit daily lives and make better use of NHS resources. Dr Nicola Hutchinson, Chief Executive of HI NENC, highlighted that the investment will bring proven practical digital solutions into NHS services more quickly, showcasing how collaboration and innovation can lead to positive change.
This initiative is part of the NENC region’s broader £19 million innovation strategy designed to address health-related barriers to work, including mental health, MSK problems, smoking, alcohol issues, and gynaecological concerns. Patients will access these services via NHS WorkWell referrals, often initiated by GP practices and community partners, ensuring a holistic approach. The programme includes a vital evaluation phase to understand effectiveness and scalability, with the ultimate goal of using early evidence to inform whether these innovations should be adopted more widely across the NHS, potentially shaping national policy. Health leaders stress that addressing these common health barriers to employment is essential for individual wellbeing, reducing economic inactivity, and supporting local economies.
