Member Article

Tackling ageing with digital technology

Health industry experts and academics recently met to tackle the challenges of aging with digital technology.

A gathering at Liverpool Maritime Museum brought together companies such as Boots, Phillips and AstraZeneca, along with charities, the NHS and the N8 group of universities.

The N8 Research Partnership comprises 8 “research intensive” universities, including Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York.

Its aim is to maximise the impact of research, with core programmes in molecular engineering, regenerative medicine, the impact of demographic change and parasitology.

The event looked at ideas for technology to help older adults manage personal health needs, and diagnostic tools for improved nutrition.

Professor Chris Brink, Chair of the N8 Board of Directors and Vice-Chancellor at Newcastle University, said: “We listened to industry and set up the N8 IIF to provide a new way of working, and to stimulate new ideas by using ‘the power of 8’ – connecting academic and business partners to meet the challenges facing industry with new insights and solutions emerging from the world-class research being carried out in our universities.

“Combining the best with the best – joining up the talent and expertise of university research and industry-led R&D – is how the best ideas come about, supports innovation across a range of sectors, which in turn, can create growth and new jobs in our economy.”

Professor Trevor McMillan, Chair of the N8 Executive Management Group and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Lancaster University, said: “An ageing population has implications for healthcare provision and the structure and shape of the labour market.

“But as well as challenges, there are opportunities – and already we are seeing growth in new sectors such as those providing healthcare services for the very old.

“Today’s event has provided an opportunity for everyone taking part to meet with ‘unlikely partners’ – organisations who they would not normally work with - and we’ve already seen a number of exciting and innovative ideas come out of it as a result.”

Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, added: “Helping businesses to deliver technological solutions to address the healthcare challenges caused by the impact of living longer, and to support independent and healthy living for an ageing population, are key parts of the Technology Strategy Board’s extensive programme of activity to support innovation in the UK’s healthcare sector.

“We are therefore delighted to support the N8 Industry Innovation Forum initiative. By supporting business-led innovation and translating new research and technology from some of our leading universities into commercially-viable products and services, it is an exemplar model for driving innovation and growth in the economy.”

Watch the video to hear from some of the experts in attendance.

A great place to get rid of any unwanted technology products is Music Magpie, where you can £sell your laptop for cash, or even your old DVDs, mobile phones or games.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .