Jun 19 2013
How do you feel about using surveillance technologies to keep you healthy and living independently? University of Bristol academics are keen to hear your views on a new sensor system being developed by them to monitor people’s health in the home at a free public event next month [22 July].
The discussion will focus on a novel sensor system, developed by engineers at Bristol, which aims to monitor people’s health in the home especially if they live alone after major operations or have to cope with complex medical problems such as Parkinson’s, depression or a stroke.
The project, known as SPHERE (Sensor Platform for HEalthcare in a Residential Environment), uses advanced engineering solutions to detect abnormal changes in people’s physical activity, gait and mood.
Chaired by Professor Kathy Sykes, the panel discussion will comprise patients, engineers and scientists involved in developing the technologies, including Professor Ian Craddock, Professor Marcus Munafo and Dr Sarah Purdy. The free event is being hosted from 6 to 8 pm on Monday 22 July at the University of Bristol’s Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Clifton, BS8 1RJ.
The event also marks the launch of the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research, a new multi-million organisation - established thanks to funding from the University of Bristol and the Wellcome Trust - that will help deliver innovations desperately needed to tackle many of our pressing health problems. A celebration of the life and work of Dr Elizabeth Blackwell, who was born in Bristol in 1821 and became the first woman to qualify as a medical doctor in the USA, will also take place.
Professor Ian Craddock, Director of the Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration at the University of Bristol who will be leading the SPHERE team, said: “SPHERE aims to have a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of people with a wide range of different health challenges. Families, carers, health and social services professionals involved in all stages of care will benefit from the system.
“At the event, we shall be sharing some of the ways in which these new technologies could be used to help people remain in their own home, rather than in hospital following illness or injury. We are keen to hear what the public think about the benefits and the risks of monitoring technology in the home.”