AN innovative approach to improving the quality of life and treatment of people with epilepsy is being spearheaded by Poole Hospitals Dorset Epilepsy Service.
Working as part of a consortium, the service has been awarded more than 720,000 funding from Innovate UK to introduce a new software solution which combines a patient portal, integrated digital records, social networking and data analysis tools.
It employs automated sensing and geo-location technologies in smartphones and wearable technology to record and track patient-related information relevant to epileptic seizures.
The aim is to reduce the costs of care and improve the treatment of a life-altering condition. Expected patient benefits include improved quality of life and management of the condition and well-being and a reduction in incidents and accidents.
For many people with epilepsy the key to the best treatment is expert guidance on how to adjust medication promptly after a seizure, to reduce the likelihood of another, rather than waiting for an appointment.
This project aims to provide patients with a simple and secure way to manage their condition with timely expert guidance and support.
Having spent a considerable amount of time trying to get this idea airborne, I am delighted that we can launch this project with our partners to further improve care for patients with epilepsy, said Dr Rupert Page, consultant neurologist and clinical lead for the project.
Not only will it enable new, more efficient ways of providing care, it also delivers it as close as possible to the patient in their hands.
Once the technology is complete, it will be able to be used to monitor other long term conditions, where similar benefits are anticipated.
Funding for the project was awarded to a consortium led by UK healthcare software specialist Shearwater Systems, and included Poole Hospital, University of Kent and Graphnet Health.
View post:
720k funding to help improve treatment for people with epilepsy at Poole Hospital