Connect for Care makes dementia breakthrough
Nov 13 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal
SUFFERERS of dementia from across the world could soon have their lives transformed by a new piece of technology developed by a fledgling North East firm.
Newcastle-based Connect for Care has developed a new system which allows sufferers of the debilitating disease to be looked after and supported remotely through touch-screen technology.
The system is being trialled by social services authorities in Newcastle but has already attracted the attention of healthcare groups from all over the world.
The company showcased the device at the recent National Dementia Congress in Bournemouth and received orders from organisations from as far afield as Hong Kong and Australia.
Next month the system will be demonstrated to a visiting delegation from Sweden and it is also expected to be a big hit in the lucrative North American sector where according to the creators of the device there is nothing as advanced as the system on the market.
Connect for Cares workforce is made up of a combination of healthcare and technology professionals and it is currently on the lookout for a chief executive to help steer the business towards international growth.
The one-year-old business has nine employees but expects to create 25 new jobs in the region in the next year to support its international ambitions.
The company, which operates out of an office in Newcastle Great Park, recently received s75,000 in funding from North East Finances Three Pillars Fund and s66,000 from Business Link.
It is currently in negotiations with Northumbria University to launch a special training course in care technology to help fill future roles at the firm which would be aimed at people who could combine technical and healthcare knowledge.
Meanwhile, Connect for Cares Dr Sanjeet Pakrasi expects the firm to distribute around 3,000 units of the product in the next two years, which would take the company up to around s300,000-a-month in subscription-based revenue.
The new device encourages communication, social and mental interaction key factors known to delay the progress of dementia.
Dr Pakrasi said: This is the next generation in dementia care. Its about improving life quality at the same time as managing risk. Dementia is a journey. By intervening early, we want to keep life quality as high as possible for as long as possible.
Theres strong evidence that mental activity and social interaction slows the progress of dementia. Our system is designed to stimulate and encourage this, empowering people with dementia and meeting clinical needs.
The doctor also expects the business to receive a further boost on the back of the Governments national dementia strategy which will be published later this year. There has been a lot of national and international interest and the Governments national dementia strategy has also been discussed, he said.
According to national statistics there are around 700,000 sufferers of dementia in the UK today and, as the number of people living well into their old age increases, this figure is expected to rise to one million by 2025.
Dr Pakrasi believes half of these sufferers would benefit from his firms new system.
Click on the links below to find out more about North East technology firms involved in the healthcare sector:
Jan 2008: Keep-fit becomes a virtual reality
May 2008: Firm's s1m deal to help detect killer diseases
Oct 2008: Software firm sets global targets
Oct 2008: Friends launch website aid for medical students
