The Assisted Living Action Network is holding networking seminars over the next 12 months to discuss key issues concerning our ageing population and healthcare requirements. These seminars are held at the Bath Ventures Innovation Centre.

The latest seminar on 20th September was entitled the ‘NHS Whole Systems Demonstrator programme’. The WSD programme is research project funded by the Department of Health to evaluate how technology can help people manage their own health while maintaining their independence.

David Tyas, the Telehealth Lead for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, spoke about WSD and more specifically around telehealth, which uses equipment to monitor people’s health in their own home. David cited several case studies of individuals who were equipped to diagnose and treat at home with the support of a telehealth team, who were contactable by telephone and therefore could be treated quickly and without the need for a doctor’s appointment. David explained that telehealth is a work in progress and it is important to change people’s perceptions.

This presentation was followed by Trevor Drage, Assisted Technology Manager at Cornwall Council. Trevor solely focused on telecare local operations. Telecare uses a combination of alarms, sensors and other equipment to help people live independently. Trevor spoke about his experience of building telecare in Cornwall and shared his insights in terms of understanding the way people react and relate to technology and the importance of maintaining a good relationship with telecare customers.

The event was well attended by delegates including healthcare professionals, service user groups and academic researchers.

All our welcome to the next event called ‘Stroke Care in the Community’ to be held on 23rd November 2011 at Bath Ventures Innovation Centre