Developing and evaluating HealthTech to improve rehabilitation
We work collaboratively with patients, NHS colleagues, academic researchers, medical technology businesses and the health services infrastructure across the South West. Responding to identified needs, we create and test new health technologies, using evidence-based solutions to improve rehabilitation and independence for people with mobility issues and frailty.
Enhancing ageing and rehabilitation with HealthTech
As life expectancy increases, for many people ageing can mean becoming more frail and living with multiple conditions. The way that healthcare systems respond to growing and more complex demands is crucial. Innovative health technologies, known as HealthTech, can play an important role. Our research helps to identify, develop and direct technological solutions for frailty, rehabilitation and dementia, focusing on developing and testing cutting-edge tools, such as wearables, sensors, robotics, and AI.
Working with people, partners and industry we aim to:
- Improve safe mobility in key multiple long-term conditions including dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, arthritis, diabetes, stroke, frailty and fractures.
- Integrate HealthTech solutions into rehabilitation services to reduce waiting lists, improve independence and enable patient-led treatment pathways.
- Facilitate seamless hospital-to-community rehabilitation for comprehensive care and sustained recovery.
- Build an inclusive research ecosystem by working with patients, carers, charities, and industry partners.
- Develop and translate therapy products to meet the growing demands of an ageing population.
- Strengthen rehabilitation capacity to improve services and enhance the quality of life for older adults.
Addressing growing demand for rehabilitation services
The South West region has an ageing population with the largest proportion of people of pensionable age in any UK region. Frailty costs the NHS £5.8 billion annually and the NHS Long term plan sets out a priority to help people age well. We’re developing innovative HealthTech to improve systems and services by offering evidence-based proactive care, targeted community services, and award-winning innovations like the Acute Hospital-at-Home service, smart health monitoring in social housing and technology rehabilitation trials.
A collaborative approach to HealthTech innovation
We have a strong track record in HealthTech development—spanning orthopaedics, therapeutic exercise, biomechanics, and AI-driven rehabilitation – positioning us at the forefront of technological advancements in ageing and mobility care. By fostering collaborations with universities, industry partners, and NHS networks, we’re accelerating the translation of research into real-world applications.
Theme Lead
People we’re working with
- University of Bristol
- University of Bath
- Cardiff University
- University of Plymouth Centre for Health Technology
- Devon, Cornwall and Somerset ICBs
- Health Innovation South West
- Universities including Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Southampton, Cardiff, Oxford, Glasgow, and Edinburgh
