UK government rewards innovative health tech firms

​The UK government’s ‘digital health technology catalyst’ (DHTC) has awarded £9 million to a range of projects aimed at addressing key challenges in the field.

Projects which have received funding include eObs, which allows clinicians to observe patients digitally through handheld devices, as well as a Glasgow based project applying machine learning to the analysis of digital case notes for diabetes patients. Mind Over Matter Tech meanwhile is working with Wessex Academic Health Science Network to trial portable brain imagining technology to test for dementia risk.

The government funding initiative – which is delivered by UK Research and Innovation - aims to “accelerate the development of digital health innovation, under the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, to ensure the UK remains at the leading-edge of innovative healthcare.”

Speaking of the award, science and innovation minister Chris Skidmore said: “From using AI-driven voice technology to assess patients’ health before seeing a doctor, to devices which alert clinicians to treat high-risk patients, we are taking steps to ensure people are healthier for longer while saving the NHS money.

“These advances in technology across the UK, demonstrate our modern industrial strategy in action, by harnessing the power of innovation to help meet the needs of an ageing society, and creating the high skilled jobs of the future.”

The DHTC is a £35 million fund, being rolled out over four years.