A gamified employee wellness platform integrated with NHS intranet systems.
What we did
- Custom Web Application Development
- ExpressionEngine CMS Implementation
- UI/UX Design & Prototyping
- Fitbit, Strava, Garmin API Integration
- Single Sign-On (SSO) with Interact Intranet
- Responsive development
About the project
Workplace wellness is a critical priority for the NHS, where staff are often under immense pressure and working long hours. In 2017, the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) sought to revolutionise how they engaged with their workforce regarding physical health. The goal was to move away from static advice and create an interactive, dynamic digital environment that encouraged movement, team building, and healthy competition.
Tinderhouse was commissioned to build "Flo Fit," a bespoke web-based platform designed to integrate seamlessly with the Trust's existing digital ecosystem. The project required a delicate balance between fun, gamified elements, such as leaderboards and challenges, and the rigorous technical standards required by a healthcare foundation. We were tasked with creating a system where staff could track their physical activity (running, swimming, cycling) and convert it into a unified "step count," fostering a fair playing field for all abilities.
By leveraging our expertise in healthcare app development, we delivered a solution that went beyond simple tracking. Flo Fit became a hub for mindfulness content, team challenges, and personal goal setting. It was designed to be accessible anywhere, from desktop computers on hospital wards to the personal smartphones of community nurses, ensuring every member of the organisation could participate in the wellness journey.
The Challenge
The KCHFT faced several hurdles in launching a successful staff engagement programme. Previous initiatives often suffered from low participation due to accessibility barriers or clunky user interfaces. The Trust needed a solution that removed friction and integrated into the daily workflow of their staff.
Specific challenges included:
Data Silos: Staff did not want another username and password to remember. The new system had to integrate with the existing "Interact" intranet.
Device Fragmentation: With a mobile workforce, the platform had to work flawlessly across a vast array of devices, from legacy Internet Explorer browsers on hospital desktops to modern smartphones and tablets.
Manual Entry Fatigue: Asking users to manually type in exercise data daily leads to high drop-off rates. Automated data retrieval was essential.
Inclusivity: A simple "step counter" excludes those who cycle or swim. The system needed complex logic to normalise different activities into a single comparable metric.
Security & Compliance: As an NHS project, the platform required strict adherence to W3C guidelines, DDA compliance, and secure SSL encryption for all user data.
Our Solution
Tinderhouse engineered a comprehensive web application that prioritised user experience (UX) and robust data handling. We utilised a validated MVP development approach during the design phase, creating high-fidelity prototypes to test the user flow before writing a single line of code. This ensured the information architecture was intuitive for all staff members, regardless of their technical literacy.
Seamless Integration & SSO
To address the barrier of entry, we implemented a Single Sign-On (SSO) module. By integrating directly with the Trust’s "Interact" intranet, we allowed staff to access Flo Fit using their existing credentials. We built the system on ExpressionEngine, a secure and enterprise-grade CMS. This choice allowed us to configure a bespoke workflow for admin staff, enabling them to self-publish news, mindfulness content, and challenges without needing HTML knowledge, while keeping the backend secure and distinct from the user-facing dashboard.
Automated Data & Fitbit API
We recognised that automation drives engagement. We built a custom integration with the Fitbit API, allowing users to sync their wearable devices directly with the platform. For users without wearables, or those engaging in non-step activities, we developed a conversion logic engine. This feature allowed users to manually enter minutes spent cycling or swimming, which the system then algorithmically converted into "steps." This ensured the leaderboards remained fair and inclusive, regardless of the exercise type.
Gamification & Social Logic
Engagement was driven by social dynamics. We structured the database to support "Teams" of six, allowing departments to compete against one another. We built dynamic leaderboards that could filter results by team or individual performance across different timeframes (weekly, monthly, all-time). The dashboard provided personal stats, goal tracking, and visual progress indicators for active challenges. To support this, we employed web development best practices using a responsive layout that adapted to any screen size, ensuring the gamified elements looked as good on a tablet as they did on a monitor.
Technical Compliance & Security
We ensured the build was fully DDA compliant and met WCGA priority 1 standards. The underlying infrastructure utilised PHP and MySQL, optimised for speed and security. We implemented a granular permissions system within the CMS, giving team managers the ability to manage their groups while ensuring strict data privacy protocols were met, with all data connections encrypted via SSL.
The Results
The launch of Flo Fit marked a significant shift in how the Trust managed staff well-being, moving from passive advice to active digital engagement.
Organisation-Wide Adoption: The seamless SSO integration resulted in high uptake across both clinical and administrative departments.
Increased Physical Activity: The gamification element, specifically the inter-team leaderboards, drove a measurable increase in daily activity among participants.
Operational Efficiency: By automating data collection via Fitbit, Strava and Garmin and empowering admins with a custom CMS, the Trust reduced the administrative overhead previously required to run wellness campaigns.
Reduced Costs: Building a bespoke, owned platform eliminated the ongoing licensing fees associated with external corporate wellness SaaS products.
Future-Proofed Support: The platform was delivered with a comprehensive SLA, ensuring ongoing security updates and browser compatibility adjustments.
Technical Highlights
ExpressionEngine CMS for secure, scalable content management.
Fitbit API Integration for real-time activity synchronisation.
SSO (Single Sign-On) integration with Interact Intranet.
Responsive HTML5 & CSS3 adhering to W3C and DDA standards.
Custom PHP/MySQL architecture for complex data conversion logic.
Google Analytics configuration with internal IP filtering for accurate usage data.
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