710083Advanced Carer-Patient Digital Communication ToolClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKThe population of the UK is aging. By 2034, 23% of the population is projected to be 65 or over compared to 16% currently. This presents significant resource and financial challenges for hospitals, councils and those involved in public care. With home care currently saving the NHS an estimated £97 billion p.a., independent living is a key priority for the EC, TSB, Dept of Health and the Research Councils, who have recognised the need to deliver innovative and cost-effective services at scale to improve the quality of life of the elderly & enable them to live independently for longer. Few technologies truly meet the increasing demands for home based support and independent living. With support from the TSB, I-Spy Digital (ISD) aim to address this issue through the development of a basic prototype of a unique carer-patient digital communication tool, that will allow tailored messages to transparently overlay commercial TV watched by care and home based residents. This technology advancement, which is based on the integration of Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) and digital signage, will enable carers, doctors and family members to remotely access a control interface to post messages to the system, alerting users of important need-to-know information. The proposed system will allow the integration of a wide range of personal services relevant to the user, informing them of alarm systems e.g. fire alarm, smart metering e.g. energy usage, personalised emails & messages from family & carers as well potentially enabling the user to communicate back through the TV set. In addition to addressing common issues of alienation and a desire for independence, by reducing the need for full time care, the project could deliver significant savings to the NHS. Once developed the product will be targeted for use in care homes, individual homes & hospitals, with potential future application in the transport, hotel & leisure, prison & mainstream consumer mkt sectors.