Ulster Scientists Develop Smartphone ‘Assistance Agent’ For Older People

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Toni Bunting

dr_luke_chen_university_of_ulster

A research team, from the University of Ulster’s Computer Science Research Institute, at Jordanstown, is currently working on a smartphone app (dubbed as Help-on-Demand (HoD) assistance agent), which will provide location-based, context-sensitive and personalised assistance, with the aim of allowing older people to carry out and solve everyday tasks and problems.

Dr Liming Chen who leads the research team explained, “The HoD assistance agent is able to provide context-aware personalised help-on-demand assistance services. Each user will have a specifically tailored user interface, which will accommodate health problems such as dyslexia and poor vision, and also location based context such as internet connectivity.

It is hoped that the smartphone ‘assistance agent’ will be ready for real world trial and adoption by the end of the year.

 

 

Development of the HoD assistance agent is part of The Situated Adaptive Guidance for the Mobile Elderly (MobileSage) research project (http://mobilesage.eu/) funded by the European Ambient Assisted Living Joint Program (AAL JP)

Read more: University of Ulster

Posted in Connected Health, e-health, gps, m-health, Northern Ireland, Research, smartphones | Leave a comment

NI Task And Finish Group Recommendations

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Toni Bunting

The NI Task and Finish Group was established under the remit of the Connected Health and Prosperity Board, to aid the exploitation of opportunities from Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. The group’s final report is now available from the European Connected Health Alliance’s website.

 

The Economy and Job Initiative T&F Group

 

Currently the HSC budget is not viewed as an annual investment in the Northern Ireland economy. The group’s key finding is that it is critical that the HSC be acknowledged as an economic contributor in the same way as many of NI’s other economic sectors (i.e. advanced materials, aerospace etc.)

 

Key Task And Finish Group Recommendations

 

1.   DHSSPS and DETI to create a new overarching Health and Life Sciences Strategy for Northern Ireland…

2.   Establish a HILS Hub (Health Innovation Life Sciences Hub) to co-ordinate and drive individual projects and programmes coming out of the overall agreed strategy…

3.   Establishment of new Health Innovation Infrastructure of the following six key economic attractors in Northern Ireland for indigenous and FDI companies to complement new HILS Hub:

  • Dynamic Action Register Online (DARO)
  • International Health Analytics Centre (Int. HAC)
  • Smart Connected Residential Community (SCRC)
  • Connected Health Integration Platform (CHIP)
  • Clinical and Device Trials
  • Continued development and exploitation of hard IP such as new drugs and medical devices

 

Read more: ECHAlliance News

Posted in Big data, Connected Health, e-health, m-health, Northern Ireland, Pointer to the future, Policy, Research, telecare, telehealth, Telemedicine, University Research | Leave a comment

Report launched on boosting the economy through health innovation

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Toni Bunting

Health and Social Care is a significant driver for innovation and growth in Northern Ireland, a major new report has found. ‘The Economy and Jobs Initiative Task and Finish Group’ report was launched on Wednesday evening by Health Minister Edwin Poots and Economy Minister Arlene Foster.

The Economy and Jobs Initiative Task and Finish Group was established to identify opportunities to support economic development through the HSC sector in Northern Ireland. The Group was chaired by Brian O’Connor, Chair of the European Connected Health Alliance and has seven other members.

The Group held a series of meetings with representatives from the HSC including the five Trusts and the business and academic sectors. It also held a workshop with a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the emerging proposals.

The final report makes seven recommendations which include: creating a new overarching Health and Life Sciences Strategy to increase levels of innovation and collaboration with Health and Life Sciences private sector and academia; establish a Health Innovation Life Sciences (HILS) Hub to coordinate and drive individual projects and programmes; and establishing a resource dedicated to international collaboration, to build key relationships and identify new funding streams exploring a more novel approach to managing risk.

Read more: DHSSPS

Posted in Connected Health, e-health, Funding, Health & Wellness, Long-term conditions, m-health, Northern Ireland, Pointer to the future, Policy, Sensors, Start ups, telehealth, University Research | Leave a comment

Big data could mean big health cost savings and better outcomes

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Toni Bunting

Picture a scenario where, by collecting the right data and using today’s sophisticated analytics, our health system could predict when a patient with chronic conditions might get very ill and require hospitalisation, and intervene before that happens, thus saving the health system millions, and improving the outcomes for patients. A pipe dream? No, it is actually happening in the Basque country in Spain, where an e-health pilot is using today’s big-data technologies to do just that.

Read more: Silicon Republic

Posted in Big data, Connected Health, e-health, Health & Wellness, Pointer to the future | Leave a comment

eHealth week offers opportunity to showcase NI, says Poots

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Toni Bunting

We must seize the opportunities offered by eHealth Week to promote innovation, economic growth and employment in Northern Ireland. That was the key message today from Health Minister Edwin Poots ahead of a round of high-profile engagements in Belfast and Dublin to mark eHealth Week. Over 2,500 international delegates and 100 exhibitors, drawn mainly from the EU and North America, are expected at the international conference which opens today in Dublin.

Speaking today before he attended the High Level Conference in Dublin Castle, Minister Poots said: “The events this week will provide opportunities for the promotion of innovation in healthcare; for the promotion of economic growth and employment opportunities; for enhancing cooperation with the EU and the US on eHealth; and for the promotion of Northern Ireland internationally.”

The Minister has invited EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs Tonio Borg to travel to Northern Ireland to show him developments in innovation in Health, in particular in the context of the Northern Ireland’s Connected Health and Prosperity agenda. Later in the week, Mr Poots will join with Economy Minister Arlene Foster in Belfast to launch a report which identifies the opportunities for economic development within the Health and Social Care sector. He will give the keynote address to hundreds of delegates at the NI Connected Health Ecosystem International Event at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

The Minister added: “I believe that in Northern Ireland we now have the necessary elements in place to enable innovation to become fully embedded into healthcare service delivery. I believe that we can now begin to realise our Connected Health and Prosperity vision, and in so doing significantly enhance the quality of health and social care for all the people of Northern Ireland while at the same time boosting the local economy.”

Read more: DHSSPS News Release

Posted in Connected Health, e-health, Northern Ireland, Policy, telecare, telehealth, Telemedicine | Leave a comment

Cork tech event to focus on robotics, cloud and big data

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Toni Bunting

Not-for-profit tech industry group it@cork is hosting a technology summit in Cork this Wednesday to home in on future trends in areas such as cloud computing, robotics, big data and digital media.

Dubbed the European Technology Summit, the event will feature speakers from companies such as Google, IBM, Amazon and Trend Micro, plus speakers from Irish companies, such as the email marketing software provider Newsweaver.

Topics that will be up for discussion on the day are big data, social media in business, cloud and web security, as well as future trends in areas such as robotics.

Read more: Silicon Republic

Posted in e-health, events, Pointer to the future, Republic of Ireland, Robotics, Start ups | Leave a comment

HealthXL Accelerator

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Toni Bunting

Today is your last chance to apply to the HealthXL Global Gathering Challenge for a fantastic opportunity to pitch at HealthXL Global Gathering 2013 in Dublin May 30th before 300 investors and influencers, including Darren Hite, John Nosta, Ashifi Gogo and Abir Sen. Spread the word!

Deadline Today at 11:59 pm CET/GMT+1

Apply here: HealthXL

Posted in e-health, events, Start ups | Leave a comment

Welcome to the Machine

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Toni Bunting

 

wttm

 

As part of e-health week, a special screening and panel discussion of a new film which explores the nature of technology and what it means to be human will be screened on 14 May.

Welcome to the Machine weaves interviews and profiles of people who get up close and personal with technology. The conversation ultimately reveals that technology is not just about the latest gadgets or business deals, but what it means to be human.

The panel members will discuss and debate the human relationship with technology, how it dominates now and will in the future, and its impact on healthcare.

Read more: Silicon Republic

Posted in Connected Health, events, m-health, Pointer to the future, Republic of Ireland | Leave a comment

Electronic Health Records Key to Transforming Health Care

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Toni Bunting

Efficient Electronic Care Records (ECR) can help us to monitor, predict, target and most importantly, vastly improve the healthcare delivered to people in Northern Ireland. That was the message from Health Minister Edwin Poots following a visit to Southwestern Medical Centre at the University of Texas in Dallas.

Speaking after the visit, the Minister said: “South-Western Medical Centre has a particularly advanced ECR system which not only collates patient information, but also uses it in a meaningful way.

Read more: DHSSPS News Release

Posted in e-health, Northern Ireland, Policy, telehealth, Telemedicine | Leave a comment

Innovation in health matters

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Toni Bunting

One we missed last month from the blog of Dr Norman Apsley, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Science Park - Innovation in health matters.

 

Posted in Connected Health, e-health, Long-term conditions, Northern Ireland, Policy | Leave a comment

Making Connected Health a reality

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Toni Bunting

This month’s Ulster Business contains a feature article about some ‘Connected Health’ developments in Northern Ireland.

Posted in Connected Health, Health & Wellness, m-health, Northern Ireland, Policy, Research, Start ups, telehealth | Leave a comment

TMED Health Hack to explore digital solutions

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Toni Bunting

The 5th Annual Translational Medicine Conference (TMED5) will take place on 2-3rd May this year. TMED5 will explore the challenges of delivering healthcare to an ageing population and showcase novel approaches in both disease prevention and management.

The Conference will be preceded on the morning of Thursday 2nd May by ‘TMED Health Hack’. This will enable healthcare specialists and the creative digital sector to explore and develop solutions to many of the challenges that we as a society encounter as an ageing population.

TMED5 will include a ‘Technology Showcase Corridor’ where innovative healthcare technologies will be demonstrated, and an ‘Innovation Support Corridor’ highlighting available assistance and support for healthcare innovation.

Read more: C-TRIC

Posted in Connected Health, e-health, events, Health & Wellness, Long-term conditions, m-health, Medical Apps, Northern Ireland, Pointer to the future, Start ups, telecare, telehealth, Telemedicine, University Research | Leave a comment

HealthHack Dublin in association with eHealthWeek

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Toni Bunting

Health Hack Dublin weekend brings together doctors, nurses, developers, designers, and other “geeks who love Healthcare” to create solutions to problems in the health space. Health hack events are ongoing and enjoy the support of prominent health care and technology leaders.

Healthcare Professionals will be encouraged to bring problems and ideas, and technologists, their skills. Developers may form teams in advance to address a problem that interests them, or they can be matched with an appropriate clinician on the day.

Read more/Register

Posted in Connected Health, e-health, events, Health & Wellness, m-health, Republic of Ireland, Start ups | Leave a comment

New Developments in mHealth

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Toni Bunting

Are you a mobile software professional, healthcare professional or entrepreneur interested in the new developments in mobile healthcare? If so then New Developments in mHealth is for you. New Developments in mHealth is the first in a new season of free regular networking events organised by MobileMonday Belfast.

The informal networking event brings together thought-leadership presentations from several mobile health innovators along with real-world experience and case studies in order to provide an up-to-date picture of the latest mobile health developments.

The event will be held on Monday 29th April from 2pm to 5pm at the Strand Cinema on the Hollywood Road in East Belfast. Register now to confirm your place.

Posted in Connected Health, events, Health & Wellness, m-health, Northern Ireland, Pointer to the future | Leave a comment

NOW OPEN: Social Innovation Camp NI Call for Ideas

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Toni Bunting

Social Innovation Camp brings together software developers and designers with people who understand a social problem to help build web and mobile solutions to social challenges.  The Social Innovation Camp Northern Ireland Calls for Ideas is now open. The next UK Social Innovation Camp will be in Northern Ireland 14th-16th June 2013 – read more here.

Posted in Connected Health, Funding, Health & Wellness, m-health, Northern Ireland | Leave a comment