The East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) is collaborating with the National Centre for Rural Health and Care to hold an Innovation Exchange to address some of the challenges that rurality presents to the delivery of both health and social care.

A workshop in June 2018 with colleagues from across the region identified multiple challenges and this event will provide the opportunity to develop digital and technology based solutions in the following areas:

• Support for people with multiple and complex needs to live independently in their own homes for longer in remote settings whilst underpinning their well-being.
• Support for people in rural and remote settings who find it challenging to travel to a service centre to receive the health and care support they require, particularly if they have conditions which require frequent travel: oncology, dialysis etc.
• Support for people suffering from loneliness in rural areas to address the challenges to their health and well-being including the option of remote “solutions”
• Support for professionals delivering health and care services for people in rural settings

This event will bring together representatives from the NHS, Social Care providers and Commissioners, academia, citizens, third sector and the commercial sector to build shared understanding, develop collaboration and support the uptake of proven innovations focused on addressing these significant challenges.

Workshops will provide an informal platform for attendees to review current service models and clinical pathways, transformation plans and innovations, and work together to identify sustainable digital and technology based solutions.

The event is not a ‘pitching’ opportunity for new products, it is an opportunity to have round table discussions that lead to the co-production of transformative solutions.

After the workshop, the EMAHSN will work with STPs, CCGs, local authorities, citizens and provider organisations across the region to issue a call for proposals for the implementation of a number of these solutions in testbed deployments across the region.

Why should I attend?

Citizens:

It is essential that possible solutions are developed in collaboration with those who live rurally and understand what this means in the context of accessing health and social care services.

Health and social care:

This will provide an opportunity to identify proven innovations that can assist in the implementation of your transformation programmes. The workshops will be designed to support the co-production of plans for potential programmes which when implemented can deliver targets for health outcomes improvement and efficiency savings. A subsequent call for proposals will select programmes for support and implementation.

Industry:

This workshop will be designed to support the co-production of solutions to meet strategic priorities of the East Midlands STPs and CCGs. A subsequent call for proposals will select programmes for implementation ensuring commissioner-led pull for innovative products and services.

The event is taking place at Lincolnshire Showground and a full programme will be available nearer the event. If you would like to attend, please express your interest by registering today.

View the agenda for the day here.

If you require further information email Aisha Ajij: aisha.ajij@nottingham.ac.uk.

Find out more about EMAHSN.