The challenge
The Choices app supports patients experiencing voice hearing by guiding them through coping strategies, assertive responses and cognitive restructuring exercises. Over time, the original application had become technically outdated and no longer reflected the quality and standards of care delivered by Sussex Voices Clinic.
Our approach
Working closely with clinicians and researchers at Sussex Voices Clinic, we redesigned the application to better support current therapeutic goals and patient needs. The new interface is calmer, clearer and easier to navigate, helping patients engage confidently with exercises outside clinical settings.
Technically, we rebuilt the app using React Native with TypeScript, replacing the legacy Cordova framework with a more maintainable foundation. This improves performance and positions the application for future updates without carrying forward avoidable technical debt.
Security was built into the product from the start. We used trusted libraries to manage form handling and local data storage securely, helping keep sensitive patient information private on device.
We also built internationalisation into the architecture, so the app can support other languages if the therapy programme is adopted more widely.
The finished app delivers exactly what we’d aimed for.
Dr Mark Hayward, Director of Research for Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Results and impact
The rebuilt Choices app gives Sussex Voices Clinic a stable, modern digital tool aligned with contemporary NHS standards. Clinicians can confidently recommend a platform that reflects the quality of their therapeutic work, while patients benefit from a more accessible and reliable experience.
Looking ahead
The new platform gives Sussex Voices Clinic a stronger digital foundation for ongoing work in mental health support. As therapy programmes evolve, the application can adapt without a structural rebuild.