Healthy.io ACR testing

Adelaide Medical Centre has commissioned Healthy.io, an NHS provider, to deliver at home urine test kits using a smartphone to assess your kidney function.  It is part of your diabetes review that needs to be carried out before April 2022.

You have gained access to this home delivery service because our records indicate that you are a patient living with diabetes, including type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. If this is incorrect then please do inform the practice.

Next steps…..please await a phone call from one of our Healthy.io colleagues who will onboard you and arrange for a test kit to be sent out in the post. http://bit.ly/uACRtest

We know that the ACR test is an important way of checking earlk kidney problems. This is helpful because there are many things that can be done to prevent further damage, such as blood pressure control, cholesterol control and diabetes control. If this  ACR screening test is abnormal we would usually want to undertake another ACR test in our hospital lab and some blood tests. The whole point of the test is to identify kidney damage early, so we can decrease any ongoing risk.

What is an ACR test?

An ACR test looks for particles of protein in the urine called albumin. The presence of these particles may suggest first signs of kidney damage. The ACR test is one of the annual care processes that people with diabetes  should receive.

Am I eligible for this service?

Yes. Our practice database tells us that you are a patient living with diabetes. If you think this is not correct please let us know. This service is also offered to patients with gestational diabetes (Patients who had diabetes during pregnancy). You also have the option to opt out of the service although we strongly recommend an annual urinary ACR test as an important part of managing your long-term condition.

Is the test safe and/ or accurate?

The test is completely safe and clinically accurate. It can be completed from the convenience of your home (no need to come into the clinic), and the results are only shared with your  GP surgery. The service complies with all relevant legislation and the Minuteful app has been approved by NHS England.

I don’t have a smartphone – what do I do?

If you have access to a smartphone via a relative, friend, neighbour or carer, then you can carry out the test this way. If not, the practice will be in touch to organise their urine test.

What do I do with my results?

Once you have completed the test at home via your smartphone app, the results are automatically sent to the practice. There is no need to come to the surgery, your GP will contact you if follow-up is needed.

I have an abnormal result, what does this mean?

This means the ACR test has detected protein in your urine. Your GP will be in contact to follow up on this result and you do not need to worry.

How do I complete the test?

Open the Minuteful app having downloaded it to your smartphone. Here you will find a tutorial that will explain how to complete the test, step-by-step.

 For any additional questions on completing the test or how to use the app contact the support team on:  020 7183 7939 or: [email protected]

Privacy statement

The data is being processed for the purpose of delivery of a programme, sponsored by NHS Digital, to monitor urine for indications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is recommended to be undertaken annually for patients at risk of chronic kidney disease e.g., patients living with diabetes. The programme enables patients to test their kidney function from home. We will share your contact details with Healthy.io to enable them to contact you and confirm that you wish them to send you a test kit.  This will help identify patients at risk of kidney disease and help us agree any early interventions that can be put in place for the benefit of your care. Healthy.io will only use your data for the purposes of delivering their service to you. If you do not wish to receive a home test kit from Healthy.io we will continue to manage your care within the Practice. Healthy.io are required to hold data we send them in line with retention periods outlined in the Records Management code of Practice for Health and Social Care. Further information about this is available at: http://bit.ly/uACRtest.

We hope you find this process an easier way of undertaking the ACR test.