Welsh Conservatives have called into question the cost and effectiveness of a 26 thousand pounds Welsh Government phone app.
The ‘Choose Well’ application was launched on July 17th this year. By November 6th it had been downloaded just 1,183 times.
The app is free but has cost the government over 22 pounds for each person currently using it.
The figures have been uncovered by Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM, following two written questions to the health minister.
While the construction of complex phone apps can often prove expensive, the scale of these costs, along with the subsequent number of downloads, has been labelled ‘an expensive failure’.
The Choose Well app provides a number of simple maps to local health services, links to NHS websites, and a list of personal health tips.
Mr Millar said:
"It would have been cheaper for the health minister to travel around Wales and tell these users about local health services herself.
"While modern communications should be embraced, the costs associated with this fairly simple app appear unduly high.
"Labour’s record-breaking NHS budget cuts are heaping immense pressure on services and I would expect management of the money that remains to be exceptional.
"So far, this is an expensive failure.
"I hope awareness of this app is swiftly increased and the cost of future projects considered very carefully."
Notes:
Darren Millar (Clwyd West):
What were the total costs of developing the Welsh Government’s ‘Choose Well’ application (please include a breakdown of costs including procurement processes, employee time, contractual costs and any future obligations). (WAQ61522)
Lesley Griffiths:
The total cost attributed to the development of the Welsh Government ‘Choose Well’ application for mobile smart phones was £26,348.
There were no additional staff costs associated with the development of the application.
There are no future cost obligations.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West):
How many people have downloaded the Welsh Government’s ‘Choose Well’ app. (WAQ61459)
Lesley Griffiths:
There have been 1183 downloads of the ‘Choose Well’ app since it was launched on 17 July.