Little Journey, a Pitchfest finalist, has recently launched a child-friendly app at Walsall Manor Hospital to assist young patients in preparing for surgery or treatment.
The app, developed by Little Journey, was a finalist in the 2022 Pitchfest competition for digital health startups. It is designed to provide psychological preparation, information, and support for children and families before, during, and after healthcare interactions.
Walsall Manor Hospital in the West Midlands officially introduced the Little Journey app on August 1, 2024, with funding provided by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s charity, Well Wishers.
Featuring interactive tours, articles, and games, the app aims to offer engaging, accessible, and age-appropriate information to help children and their caregivers understand what to expect during a hospital stay.
Garry Perry, associate director of patient voice and experience at Walsall Healthcare, commented on the app’s benefits for children, young people, and their families, providing guidance and reducing nervousness associated with hospital visits.
In collaboration with Walsall, Little Journey’s site success team customized tours and trained staff on app features. The app is available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Sophie Copley, cofounder and chief product officer at Little Journey, highlighted the positive impact of the app on hospital operations and patient experience, expressing the startup’s commitment to ongoing support for Walsall.
Following their success in Pitchfest 2022, Little Journey has received grants from various sources and expanded their reach to over 100 hospitals globally, with content in multiple languages. They are also set to launch the app at more NHS trusts and international hospitals in the near future.
As Pitchfest continues to promote innovative healthcare solutions, the stage is set for the next competition at Rewired 2025, where leading healthcare startups will showcase their technologies and initiatives.
