BELFAST-based Connected Health, which is transforming the way homecare is delivered, has invested in creating an in-home care solution designed to support older people with virtual care and medication.
Its 'Carebox' solution operates in tandem with a patient's own TV to provide medication reminders and direct access to their next of kin or a virtual care assistant.
It's the latest in a number of additional service innovations and support which the company has implemented throughout the pandemic.
Established in 2012, Connected Health delivers more than 2.5 million physical care visits a year and is one of Northern Ireland’s largest homecare providers.
Over the last three years Invest NI has offered the company £156,000 of support towards R&D, marketing and trade assistance.
Connected Health chief executive Douglas Adams said: “Creating solutions to improve patient care is at the heart of our business and is the reason we developed Carebox.
“Our technology is designed to deliver efficient home healthcare in the community, at times decreasing the demand for costly hospitalisation at a time when the impact of Covid-19 is impacting on the NHS.”
He added: “Invest NI has played a significant role in supporting many of our key projects, which has helped take our business beyond the confines of traditional homecare.
“Its support has also helped us to pivot into new areas, enabling our staff to attend key global events and conferences to inform our view of the future direction and technological innovations of our future business.”
Invest NI chief executive Kevin Holland said: “Connected Health’s growth has been impressive and it sees the value in investing in R&D to grow its business.
“It has used our support to design, develop and refine Carebox, its most innovative technology to date. The technology can improve the quality of patient care in the home and will be launched across the UK and Republic of Ireland, with further export potential in the coming years.
“Supporting businesses to translate innovative ideas into real life solutions is essential to our role. By investing in R&D, Connected Health has created a solution that is having real and immediate benefits on our care sector. I'm confident this investment will help accelerate its growth internationally and build resilience throughout Covid-19 and beyond.”
