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DrDoctor, a digital tool to help patients view, change and schedule appointments, has been awarded an extension on the NHS England Innovation and Technology Payment (ITP) programme for a second year.
The ITP programme was set up by NHS England to accelerate the adoption and spread of innovation and is designed to support cost effective medical devices, digital platforms and technology.
Peter Hansell, Associate Director, DrDoctor “We are delighted to be part of the ITP programme for a second year. Last year’s funding was vital in enabling a number of Trusts to move forward with their digital outpatient ambitions and we look forward to pushing the boundaries of that further.”
Patients Know Best secures new funding
Patients Know Best has secured new funding from Harbert European Growth Capital Fund II (“HEGCF II”) to support its business growth.
Dr Mohammad Al-Ubaydli, who founded the company in 2008, said: “This represents a new era for Patients Know Best. We are delighted to be working with a partner of the calibre of Harbert. This investment will help us to go further, faster by expanding our team and developing our digital platform to transform global healthcare services at scale and pace.”
Alzheimer’s Research UK and Bournemouth University have launched a new training resource using virtual reality
The Lived Experience of Dementia aims to enhance empathy and increase understanding of the lesser-known symptoms of dementia by enabling healthcare professionals to experience the everyday challenges faced by people living with the condition through innovative VR technology. The first 1,000 training packs will be free to order from the charity’s website.
The resource is built around Alzheimer’s Research UK’s groundbreaking A Walk Through Dementia virtual reality app. The free app uses computer-generated environments and 360° video sequences to illustrate in powerful detail the symptoms and difficulties faced by people with dementia.
An evaluation showed that 82% of users said the app had helped them learn more about the symptoms of dementia and 93% had a greater insight into the challenges faced by people with dementia after using it.
Michele Board, Deputy Lead Ageing and Dementia Research Centre at Bournemouth University, said: “When we first saw Alzheimer’s Research UK’s virtual reality dementia app, we were struck by its potential to drive more empathy than traditional training approaches. Our evaluation work shows that the VR approach leaves a lasting impact on learners and saw many users refer to their experiences in the app when faced with similar situations in their day-to-day work.”
“People with dementia often find it difficult to communicate what they’re experiencing or how they need help. It’s only through truly stepping into someone’s shoes that you can develop really human-centred approaches to care. We hope this training tool will support healthcare professionals in their personal and professional development.”
The Lived Experience of Dementia training packs, containing the workbook and virtual reality headset, can be ordered by visiting alzres.uk/lived-experience-dementia
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