Urgent Deadline Extended – SBRI Dementia Project (Innovative solutions sought).

Descriptions

Summary:We have been successful in obtaining funding from the Welsh Government and the Department for Transport to launch an exciting new SBRI competition. We are looking for small businesses and innovative organisations to work with the Health Board over the next 18 months to find innovative approaches / solutions that could assist people in our care living with dementia who often experience high levels of anxiety when travelling to and attending for hospital care.Dementia is an umbrella term and refers to lots of different types of conditions. Some of the more common types of dementia include Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia, and fronto-temporal dementia.Dementia is increasingly common and there are currently approximately 10,727 people in North Wales living with dementia and 850,000 in the UK. A significant amount of people living with dementia are also affected by other health conditions and are often required to attend for hospital out-patient appointments or are admitted to emergency departments, this often can cause anxiety. This anxiety can lead to a distressed response, which could be perceived as agitation and behaviour change; in some cases, the person can be so anxious that they leave the healthcare setting.Please take a moment to watch the following video clip which is taken from a BBC Panorama documentary (Living with Dementia - Chris’s Story) showing what life is really like living with dementia. We are extremely thrilled to have Chris’s support, along with his wife Jayne who will have an ambassador role within this project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zec-5XgC88QResearch has shown that dementia alone doesn’t necessarily prevent people from driving but people do tend to stop driving within three years of their first dementia symptoms. Travelling alone can be difficult for anyone who is vulnerable due to age, learning disability or living with a mental health problem such as anxiety. It can be particularly difficult for people with dementia to plan journeys, deal with money or interact with staff and other passengers. Even for a person in the early stages, new environments may be more difficult to navigate and people may struggle when the service is disrupted.A total of up to £600,000 (inc. VAT) is allocated to this competition which will run in 2 phases;Phase 1 (Feasibility Study) will be for up to 5 projects (up to £50,000 per project).Phase 2 (Demonstrator Phase) will be for up to 2 projects (up to £175,000 per project).The competition will run for 18 months.Further information on the upcoming Briefing Event:BCUHB are holding a Briefing Event for potential applicants on Friday 21st October 2016, 8.45 registration at The Optic Center, St Asaph Business Park, St Asaph, North Wales. LL17 0JD. To register, please go to: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/page/87576NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=55113.