From manufacturing heavy parts for coal mining to fine-tuning aerospace technology, retired engineer Alastair Donald’s career coincided with an era of unprecedented technological advance.

Now Alastair, who is living with a heart condition, has revealed how his personal healthcare has been revolutionised – by the power of the simple text message.

“I worked hard all my life and never thought in my younger days I’d spent my retirement fighting ill health,” explained the grandfather-of-four from Bellshill in North Lanarkshire.

“But since I had a heart attack in 1998 I’ve been in and out of hospital – including a month-long stay after I developed complications earlier this year.

“I’ve never liked to bother the Doctor and although the hospital care has been great I like to be in my own home and around my family.

“Thanks to a new texting system I’ve been using since May, I’ve been able to do just that – and make sure my condition isn’t moving towards a crisis requiring more time in hospital.”

The text system is known as Florence and can help patients, like Alastair, who have had hospital treatment for heart failure. Patients, who can be of any age over 16 years, are equipped and taught how to self-monitor details such as weight and blood pressure.

The patient then texts the details to an automated system which has been programmed by specialist nurses with the patient’s specific health details.

Florence replies with advice all based on the latest readings. If any anomalies are detected with the readings an automated alert is sent to the patient. A specialist nurse is also alerted allowing them to respond to offer advice or help by phone, text or arrange medical assistance as necessary.

“It’s been a great boost,” said Alastair.

To find out more about Home Health monitoring and the Florence system, contact Morag Hearty Telehealth Manager of NHS Lanarkshire at: TEC.Programme@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk