Member Article

Healthcare and digital experts explore the ‘Internet of Things’

NHS practitioners, commissioners and providers have teamed up with digital experts to explore the future of healthcare as it may be influenced by the Internet of Things (IOT).

A two-day event to explore the technology’s potential uses in healthcare was commissioned by The iNnovation Network, co-sponsored by the North West Coast Academic Health Science Network (NWC AHSN) and the More Independent Programme (MI), run by Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and organised by community engagement company So Mo.

The Internet of Things refers to physical devices that connect to the internet and download/upload data.

Healthtech start-ups and established companies are developing a range of high-tech, lifesaving IOT tools and devices which greatly improve efficiency and reduce waste, loss and cost.

Attendees at the event explored the possibilities created by emerging IOT technology and shared ideas and concepts for how IOT could be used to address challenges faced by the health sector.

Participants also explored how digital advances, like wearable technology, could help an ageing population with complex, long-term conditions to live comfortable independent lives.

The event finale saw attendees join IOT experts in co-designing an IOT solution to a healthcare challenge they had identified.

The winning product, which tackles social isolation, has received a £500 prize to develop the idea and scope out feasibility.

If found to be viable, the product could receive a further £5,000 of funding, which would be used to develop an early prototype.

Dr Liz Mear, CEO of NWC AHSN, said: “The demand for more advanced healthcare with the desire to enable people to enjoy independent lives for as long as possible, is a significant challenge. The potential presented by emerging technology to help to tackle these issues is huge.

“We want people operating in the healthcare sector to be able to make informed decisions and keep abreast of advances in tech, so that they are able to act decisively and proactively and draw on the cutting-edge technology available to us.

“These two events have been fantastic in bringing together tech specialists and people from across the healthcare sector to facilitate a sharing of ideas and knowledge and we hope that it will act as a springboard for future collaborations.”

Phil Rigby from Liverpool City Council, who leads The Innovation Network said: “The Innovation Network has set the standard for social innovation in the city for the last two years, specialising in cutting-edge thinking and cross sector connections.

“Liverpool City Council and our Innovation Partners have a brilliant track record of delivering creative solutions and developing attractive products. This improves quality of life for our citizens whilst stimulating the most socially minded businesses in our city.”

Dr Maurice Smith, Liverpool GP and Chair of Mi Board, said: “Liverpool is leading the way in pioneering technologies that can change people’s lives – technology that provides confidence, improves health and increases independence.

“Mi pulls together a vast range of technologies, tools and activity that are all about enhancing health and wellbeing of local people, providing ways to help them feel better, more supported and less isolated.

“As an example, someone with arthritis could have a finger print lock on their door; or their oxygen levels checked every day at home, helping the NHS spot deterioration and avoid emergency hospital admissions.

“Technology brings not only physical benefits but can help people understand their health and reduce anxiety that can make the whole situation so much worse for them and their families.

“Technology, though, is only as good as the people behind it – Mi is working hard to offer enhanced resources in the community, trained clinicians to support the technology, and our team of Community and Digital Champions, who are out and about in the neighbourhoods helping to spread the work and get people using this life enhancing technology.

Nicola Wass from So Mo said: “So Mo wanted to deliver event which recognises that all too often a good idea ends when a session finishes.

“Working in this way allows the people we engage to go on to find out if the great idea they had in one of our sessions could go on become a commercially viable product.

“The INnovation Network, of which So Mo is a partner, is all about helping people to find solutions to some of the big challenges facing the continued delivery of health and social care services.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .