The Scottish Government and Scottish Diabetes Group, working in association with Scottish Enterprise, Innovate UK and NHS Scotland, are seeking business projects that could improve the lives of patients and save costs through mobile health applications.
Learning to manage
People with type 1 diabetes need to know how and when to test blood glucose levels, how to adjust insulin doses in line with what they eat, and how to recognise and prevent such things as hypoglycaemic episodes and foot ulcers.
This is traditionally taught in a short burst through a course lasting several days. However, it is often not the best way for patients to learn. Mobile health services are seen as the way forward, but progress has so far been slow.
In Scotland, 1 in 20 people has diabetes. More than 1 in 10 diabetics have type 1 diabetes, a condition which, if untreated, can lead to many serious health problems.
Accessibility
The Scottish Diabetes Group is looking for accessible and safe solutions targeted at users of smartphones, tablets and laptops. Proposals would be co-designed by users, demonstrate cost savings for NHS Scotland and have the potential to transform the lives of diabetics.
This competition will run in 2 phases. In the first phase, up to 5 projects will win contracts for feasibility studies. Up to 2 projects will be awarded contracts for further development, depending on the outcome of the feasibility studies.
Competition information
- this competition is open now, and the registration deadline is noon on 30 December 2015
- any organisation can apply although the competition is particularly suited to SMEs
- we expect phase 1 contracts to be up tp £30,000 and to last 6 months
- we expect phase 2 contracts to be up to £150,000 and to last 12 months
- an open day for potential applicants will be held in November