A Jewish health campaigner is attempting to win a share of £1 million and a chance to pitch her app idea to Richard Branson.

Joanna Slater developed the app to improve communication between doctors and patients after the death of her mother Kay following surgery on her hip.

She said: “What was meant to have been a routine operation turned into the ultimate decline of my mum.

“I was frustrated at not getting straight answers regarding my mum’s treatment and still feel her death could have been prevented were it not for inadequate care resulting from poor communication between medical staff.”

The app, called MyNotes Medical, will allow patients or their relatives to search a particular medication or the name of an illness and also log all their medications and medical history.

Ms Slater, 60, from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, has submitted her idea to Mr Branson’s Virgin Media Business VOOM 2016 competition, whichgives budding entrepreneurs a chance to win investment.

She said: “People often don’t understand what the doctor has said, but by recording their notes they can review them when they get home.

“It will help doctors too because people will have in-depth records of their symptoms and treatment.”

Up against her in the competition will be 25-year-old Jewish social media manager Gaby Khalastchy, from north London, who has developed an app designed to help families looking for activities to do.

She said: “Little App informs you whether the activity is free and shows you the recommended age so that you know what works for your family.”