Exercise Referral App from ReferAll could save millions

A new app enabling Exercise on Referral (EOR) clients to fill out questionnaires online could collectively save operators millions of pounds, according to its developer, software specialist ReferAll.

The app massively reduces staff administration, freeing up valuable time for them to concentrate supporting clients through a bespoke physical activity programme based on their health needs, as identified through the online questionnaires.

“Saving money is a key priority for all referral schemes and across the 178 services we support, if just forty-five percent of clients used the app, their schemes could save anywhere up to three million pounds,” said Stuart Stokes, Commercial Director at ReferAll.

“Historically, the time taken to post, complete and then enter the results, as well as the postage costs, amounts to around ten pounds per client. However, over the course of the programme, each client receives around six questionnaires, giving a per client/per programme average of over sixty pounds. Whilst scheme sizes vary, savings could still equate to tens of thousands of pounds per annum.”

The intuitive platform, which works across all mobile devices, aims to reduce the money spent sending questionnaires to clients throughout their EOR programme, as well as the time spent completing them by scheme administrators. The app features a library of over eighty questionnaires including PAR-Q, behaviour review, goal setting and evaluation and SWEMWBS (Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale). Bespoke questionnaires can also be created.

The app is straightforward for the client to use: once the scheme administrator receives the referral the client is sent a link to access the app, enabling them to fill out the initial questionnaire. The scheme administrator is then notified the questionnaire has been completed. The app saves both the cost of posting out questionnaires as well as the time taken to finalise all the information required during the client’s appointments and the subsequent data entry once the questionnaire is completed.
The app also aims to reduce the ‘scheduling’ burden for staff and participants when booking, arranging and re-arranging appointments, as well as group exercise sessions via an easy to use calendar. Exercise referral staff have the assurance of receiving a notification via the ReferAll dashboard when each appointment is made, cancelled or rearranged. Participants then receive an SMS confirmation once the appointment is booked.

Stokes commented: “By using the app our customers have the benefit of reducing administrative spend whilst actually improving customer experience. Most initial appointments are purely taken up with filling out a questionnaire. By enabling this prior to the appointment, staff can focus on a more client-centred approach, reviewing the findings from the questionnaire with the client and developing bespoke solutions for them.”

The app is available for a one off payment. For further information visit www.refer-all.net
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Editor’s notes:
ReferAll offers a fast and efficient online referral pathway for Exercise on Referral schemes. The software connects GP practices, commissioners, scheme administrators and EOR instructors, both in the office and at the activity delivery sites, such as leisure centres and community halls, via tablets. This ensures all data is collected centrally, enabling real time reporting with ease on anything from uptake demographics to evaluation of improvement in activity levels. By reducing staff administration time and increasing time with clients, as well as automating appointment reminders, speeding up activity enrolment and providing motivational text messages, the EOR ‘journey’ is also made easier for clients.

ReferAll is currently working with 178 service providers to power lifestyle services that, to date, have seen more than 160,000 referrals.

For further information contact:
Amanda Baker at Big Fish Public Relations
Tel: 07976 757499
Email: amanda@bigfishpublicrelations.co.uk