Enhancing Our CEW Clinic with Innovative Technology: Introducing Evira
Tackling Childhood Obesity with Holistic Solutions
Obesity affects one in four children in the UK, increasing the likelihood of serious health conditions such as diabetes, respiratory issues, and poor mental health. To address this growing issue, 30 Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) clinics have been established across the UK. These clinics take a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to treating obesity-related conditions and are linked to specialist children’s hospitals, including Alder Hey.
The Growing Demand for CEW Clinics
By 2022/23, over 2,000 children and young people (CYP) had received care through CEW clinics, surpassing the NHS Long Term Plan target by 50%. However, demand still far outstrips capacity. Data from NHS England (NHSE) reveals that referrals are currently double the number of patients accepted, highlighting the urgent need to enhance efficiency and expand access to care. To meet this challenge, NHSE sought innovative solutions to improve clinic capacity and the overall patient experience.
Evira: A Technology-Driven Solution
Following a competitive procurement process, NHSE awarded the Swedish organisation Evira the contract to trial and scale evidence-based technology within CEW clinics. Evira combines a digital platform with a remote measuring device to monitor patient progress from home. Initial trials in Sweden demonstrated that this technology could enable CEW clinics to treat twice as many children compared to conventional in-person visits. The solution also empowers children and families to actively track and evaluate their progress alongside their clinical team.
Leading the Way at Alder Hey
Alder Hey’s CEW team, supported by Alder Hey Innovation, was chosen as the first site in the UK to trial and implement Evira’s technology. The 14-week trial aimed to:
- Capture feedback and improve service delivery.
- Create a scalable service blueprint for other CEW clinics.
- Assess technical integration, operations, and governance processes.
This collaborative effort involved CEW clinicians, the Alder Hey Innovation project team, and Evira. NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Children and Young People, Simon Kenny, commended the initiative: “NHSE is assessing whether the novel technology in the Evira app is effective in helping children lose weight and reduce complications. We are grateful to Alder Hey for taking a lead role in this evaluation.”
Successful Integration and Patient Benefits
The trial successfully integrated Evira’s platform into the patient care pathway at Alder Hey. Clinical users received comprehensive training from the Evira team, ensuring a seamless rollout for patients and families. Dr Senthil Senniappan, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist and Clinical Lead for Alder Hey’s CEW Clinic, praised the technology:
“Several patients have benefitted from the device so far and are able to communicate with the members of the clinic as required. Helping patients to track their progress through the app keeps them engaged, and the device enables clinicians to remotely monitor BMI progress, thereby supporting the children accordingly.”
The Evira platform is now actively enhancing patient care at Alder Hey, improving engagement and enabling clinicians to provide timely, remote support.
Paving the Way for National Adoption
With the success of this pilot, Alder Hey is paving the way for other CEW clinics across the UK to adopt Evira’s innovative technology. By streamlining care, improving efficiency, and empowering families, this solution has the potential to transform how childhood obesity is managed nationwide.
We look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of this technology as it is scaled across the country.