SBRI backs Welsh rollout of pelvic-health platform

New funding will enable a pilot of a women’s pelvic health self-management app, aiming to cut waits and standardise support in NHS Wales.

SBRI (Small Business Research Initiative) is a public funding programme that pays suppliers to develop and test solutions for NHS priorities. It has provided backing for getUBetter, a digital platform that guides people through self-care and, where needed, routes them into local NHS services.

Delivered with Cwm Taf women’s pelvic health physiotherapy and academic partners, the project will replace scattered tools with a single digital pathway. Features include in-app triage (simple questions to guide next steps), safety-netting (follow-up checks for red flags) and automated referrals to physiotherapy, urogynaecology, maternity and women’s health hubs.

Pelvic floor problems—such as incontinence, prolapse and pain—are common and often stigmatised. Long waits for specialist care can worsen symptoms, particularly in areas with health inequalities.

The company says its platform is live across 20 integrated care systems in England, covering about 20m people. Reported outcomes include an 80 per cent cut in women’s health physiotherapy waiting times (from 29 to 4 weeks), an 88 per cent drop in follow-up appointments, and a stated return on investment of 1:9.

Dr Carey McClellan, CEO of getUBetter, said: “We’re proud to be bringing our innovation to Wales. Too many women and girls are left waiting for help with conditions that affect every aspect of their lives with little to no support. By turning waiting time into active recovery, this project will reduce stigma, improve access, and create a scalable model for NHS Wales.

“This collaboration is vital because effective self-management depends on understanding the needs and behaviours of citizens, patients, and clinicians within Wales. We cannot assume what works in England will automatically work here. This exciting project will enable us to transform pelvic health self-management across NHS Wales and deliver real value for all stakeholders.”