HelixOrg Support
Need help with HelixOrg? You'll find answers to the most common questions below. If something isn't covered here, get in touch and I'll get back to you as quickly as I can.
General
Where is my data stored?
All data stays on your device using Apple's SwiftData framework. HelixOrg does not use cloud storage, sync services, or external servers. Nothing leaves your phone.
Do I need to create an account?
No. HelixOrg works entirely offline with no sign-up, login, or account required.
Which devices are supported?
HelixOrg requires an iPhone running iOS 17 or later.
Can I change the appearance?
Yes. Go to Settings and choose between System, Light, or Dark mode.
Patients and tasks
How do I add a patient?
Tap the add button on the Patients tab. Enter a name and optionally a bed number and notes. The patient will appear in the list alphabetically.
How do task priorities work?
Tasks have three priority levels: High (red), Medium (yellow), and Low (green). They're grouped by priority with colour-coded headers so you can see what needs doing first at a glance.
What are task categories?
Each task can be assigned one of seven categories: Bloods, Imaging, Referrals, Medications, Discharge, Communication, or Other. You can filter the task list by category using the toolbar menu.
How do I mark tasks as done?
Swipe a task to cycle its status: To Do, In Progress, Done. You can also swipe left on a patient to mark all of their tasks as done at once.
What happens when I delete a patient?
Deleting a patient also removes all associated tasks, NEWS2 scores, IV fluid entries, and insulin entries. You'll see a confirmation dialog before anything is deleted.
Handover
How do I generate a handover report?
Tap the handover button in the top left of the Patients tab. HelixOrg generates a structured text document listing each patient with their bed number, latest NEWS2 score, latest IV fluid entry, notes, and outstanding tasks sorted by priority. You can copy it to the clipboard or share it via the system share sheet.
What does "Complete Handover" do?
It marks all outstanding tasks across all patients as done in one tap, so you can start fresh for the next shift.
How should I share a handover report?
The handover report can be copied to the clipboard or shared via the iOS share sheet. Before sharing or copying, the app displays a confirmation reminding you to use secure channels. The exported report also includes a footer noting that it contains patient-identifiable data. You should use your Trust's approved communication channels when sharing handover reports.
Clinical tools
How do I enable clinical tools?
Clinical tools (NEWS2, IV Fluids, Insulin) are opt-in. Each one requires you to acknowledge a disclaimer before first use. Once enabled, they appear as options when viewing a patient.
Is the NEWS2 score clinically validated?
The NEWS2 calculator follows the Royal College of Physicians scoring methodology, including Scale 1 and Scale 2 for SpO2. However, HelixOrg is not a registered medical device. The score is provided as an organisational aid and should not replace clinical judgement.
What guidelines are the IV fluid and insulin tools based on?
The IV fluid reference follows NICE CG174 guidelines. The insulin reference is based on JBDS (Joint British Diabetes Societies) guidelines and includes sub-tools for DKA protocol, hypoglycaemia protocol, VRIII, perioperative guidance, and insulin types.
Security and privacy
How do I lock the app?
Go to Settings and enable App Lock. You can choose Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. You can also set an auto-lock timer (immediately, 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 15 minutes) so the app locks itself after a period of inactivity.
What happens in the app switcher?
When app lock is enabled, HelixOrg applies a privacy blur over the screen when the app moves to the background, so patient information isn't visible in the multitasking view.
How do I delete my data?
You can delete individual patients and their associated data from within the app. To remove everything at once, go to Settings and use Clear All Data. You can also uninstall the app, which removes all stored data from your device.
How long should I keep patient data in the app?
You should delete patient records once they are no longer needed for clinical purposes. HelixOrg includes a shift-end reminder (enabled by default in Settings) that prompts you to review and clear data after a period of inactivity. You can also delete individual patients, or use Clear All Data in Settings when rotating to a new ward or hospital.
Does my Trust need to approve this app?
Individual NHS Trusts maintain their own policies on which apps can be used on personal devices for clinical work. You should confirm that using HelixOrg is compatible with your Trust's BYOD and information governance policy before storing patient data in the app.
Troubleshooting
The app won't open or crashes on launch
Make sure you're running the latest version of HelixOrg from the App Store and that your device is on iOS 17 or later. If the issue persists, try restarting your device. If it still doesn't resolve, please contact me with your device model and iOS version.
Face ID or Touch ID isn't working for app lock
Check that biometric authentication is enabled in your device's system settings. HelixOrg uses the same biometric access as your device, so if Face ID or Touch ID works elsewhere on your phone, it should work in the app.
Contact
For bug reports, feature requests, or anything else, email me at:
I aim to respond within 48 hours.