Collaboration fund awards
The brain injury HRC is one of a network of 14 research centres supporting and developing technologies in health and social care. To encourage collaboration and increase the impact of the network a collaborative challenge fund was established offering financial support to projects involving at least 3 HRC’s.
We are pleased to be part of two successful bids to the scheme.
FEDCAT
The project is led by the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Brain Injury
partners are:
NIHR HRC Devices, Digital and Robotics
NIHR HRC Rehabilitation
NIHR HRC Sustainable Innovations
The Framework for Evaluation of Digital Cognitive Assessment Technologies (FEDCAT) project aims to address the challenges surrounding the increasing number of digital cognitive assessment tools designed for older adults and neurological populations. Despite their potential, these tools currently suffer from significant variations in design, cognitive domain coverage, validation, and clinical use.
The project will:
1. Map the Current Landscape: Identifying and characterizing existing digital tools.
2. Identify Unmet Needs and Use Cases: Defining key clinical applications, such as early diagnosis and rehabilitation monitoring.
3. Define Methodological Standards: Reaching consensus on minimum evaluation criteria, encompassing aspects like sensitivity, validity, usability, scalability, and equity.
4. Develop an Evaluation Framework: Creating a structured, NICE and MHRA compatible framework to guide future engagement and support innovators.
REHAB MAP
The project is led by the NIHR in Rehabilitation
Partners are:
NIHR HRC in Brain Injury
NIHR HRC in Paediatrics and Child Health
National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC)
The REHAB-Map (REhabilitation Health Across Britain: Mapping Needs, setting priorities and shaping innovation) project aims to address the significant disparities in rehabilitation service provision and technology access across England. Historically, rehabilitation services have been fragmented by condition, often leaving individuals in lower socio-economic areas with poorer access to essential care. The project seeks to map these existing services and identify opportunities for technology to reduce health inequalities.
The primary aims and objectives of the REHAB-Map project are:
1. Map Service Provision: Create an interactive online diagram to document rehabilitation services and identify underserved populations.
2. Identify Technology Gaps: Map technology opportunities aligned with NHS England commissioning guidance to produce a comprehensive gaps analysis.
3. Set Research Priorities: Conduct a priority-setting exercise to establish and publish the top-25 most critical research and innovation questions concerning rehabilitation technology.
