The Welsh Government has announced a £150,000 funding programme for 5-8 health tech firms to help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The closing date for applications is 8th June, and the programme is seeking solutions to improve remote diagnostics, data collection and monitor PPE availability.
The funding will be used to support a quick pilot of the solutions and an evaluation before potential wider roll-out and longer term use.
It’s already received 180 programme ideas of products and services, and five to eight projects will be awarded up to £30k if successful.
Health Minister Vaughan Gething said “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted an urgent need for new digital technology to help us contain and respond to the virus.”
“This call to action could make a massive difference not only in our immediate response to the pandemic, but in our day-to-day health services.”
“It is important we embrace digital technologies and use some of its potential to improve routine care. This call to action will help us evaluate the best options and their long-term value.”
The pilots will run throughout July and August with a potential for the new technology to be roll out from early September.
Helen Northmore, from the Life Sciences Hub Wales, which will be co-ordinating the responses to the call to action, said “This challenge fund is a perfect opportunity to test and develop technologies which offer the largest impact and best value solutions during coronavirus and beyond.”
“We are delighted to support this competition – this fund will enable rapid evaluation of potential digital innovations for health and care delivery in Wales.”
In England NHSX ran a similar programme and received 1,600 applications, with 18 applications being successful.
