30
May
2018
|
11:34
Europe/London

Prime Minister Theresa May visits Jodrell Bank and highlights Healthy Ageing as one of the Industrial Strategies Grand Challenges

Theresa May visits Jodrell Bank PM Theresa May visited Jodrell Bank of the 21st May. Dr Emma Stanmore was able to speak directly to the Prime Minister about her ageing and technology research which allied with the ageing grand challenge.

The Healthy Ageing Research Group focuses on around six inter-related themes for older people and younger older people (retirement age), one of which is the use of novel technologies. In addition to wearable and environmental sensor technologies related to falls, members of the group work with the Photon Institute on novel fibre-optic technologies in gait and physiological function measurement. Also gerontechnology research focusses on mobile phone, ICT based Health systems and the development and testing of exergaming technologies, and novel detector systems for use in hospitals and long stay care. Mrs May stated in her speech: “Innovative and well-designed products and services – from housing adaptations that make our homes safer for older people to live in, to smart technologies that help people continue to enjoy life if they have a health condition. These innovations can also be exported to a rapidly growing market around the world”

Dr Emma Stanmore told MICRA: “This was a great opportunity to speak to PM Teresa May and the visiting MPs to raise the profile of our innovative ageing research at The University of Manchester. Their positive response recognised that our work directly responds to the one of the four Grand Challenges, that involves meeting the needs of an ageing society as set out in the Industrial Strategy White Paper”

Mrs May stated that the government has set the goal of research and development investment reaching 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027 which could translate to an additional £80 billion investment in the ideas of the future over the next decade.

Share this page