NHS study rates MUTU pelvic care system as 'ready to go' for gynaecological care crisis
Evaluation found the use of digital pelvic health platform, MUTU System, is an effective, accessible, scalable way to address the current pelvic health care crisis
With nearly 600,000 people in England currently on a gynaecology hospital care waitlist, solutions are urgently needed to address this growing women's health crisis.
Now an independent NHS study has identified a much-needed solution to gynaecology waitlist woes.
An evaluation by Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (HI KSS) found that the use of digital pelvic health platform, MUTU System, is an effective, accessible, scalable way to address the current pelvic health care crisis
The study concluded MUTU System has positive benefits for patients and is cost-effective for the NHS. It found that patients saw a marked reduction in pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary incontinence (UI), and dyspareunia (painful sex).
Unmet needs
Patients on long gynaecological waiting lists are often seeking care for pelvic health-related conditions such as prolapse or incontinence, many with symptoms resulting from childbirth. Over one-third of women experience long-term postpartum conditions that impact their well-being and quality of life.
Recognising this problem, HI KSS independently commissioned evaluation partners, Unity Insights, to explore the benefits of a digital pelvic health platform to address these unmet needs.
Following an extensive market review, the Health Innovation Network selected evidence-based and NHS Apps Library-approved MUTU System.
The evaluation concluded the platform is a ready-to-go solution that can improve the current NHS pelvic healthcare pathway.
Jenny Partridge, Innovation Manager at Health Innovation KSS, said:
"Many women do not seek medical help for postpartum issues due to embarrassment, cultural barriers, or lack of time juggling childcare and other commitments. MUTU System used in the privacy of your home can make a big difference. It's our hope that increasing access in this way will have a significant impact on addressing maternal inequality in our region."
The evaluation found:
Through surveys conducted among postpartum patients attending specialist physiotherapy or GP appointments, alongside a self-pay cohort, MUTU® System delivered statistically significant improvements in pelvic health symptoms.
There was a marked reduction in pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary incontinence (UI), and dyspareunia (painful sex) among patients. One hundred percent of NHS GP practice patients reported increased confidence in doing their pelvic floor exercises correctly.
MUTU System was popular with patients too, with 91 percent of NHS physiotherapy patients and 66 percent of NHS GP practice patients reporting they would recommend it.
A full report is available here
Sarah Leng, Transformation and Digital Lead at Medway South PCN, one of the GP practices participating in the study, said:
"GPs saw the benefit of offering MUTU System to patients to help address pelvic health symptoms, in particular the opportunity of early intervention to prevent symptoms getting worse and impacting on day-to-day life."
Wendy Powell, CEO of MUTU System, said:
"I'm delighted to see that GPs, physiotherapists and patients see the benefits of our programme. We want as many women as possible to experience reduced symptoms post-birth, so we hope this study will lead to extensive implementation across the NHS."
The research also explored MUTU System's cost-effectiveness. Cost-benefit analysis revealed a positive Net Present Value when factoring in Quality-Adjusted Life Years, indicating a potential return on investment within the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System over a five-year period.
So what next?
From here, it’s now over to NHS decision-makers to commission the MUTU system for roll-out within the NHS.