Yorkshire healthtech firm awarded funding to improve safety in elderly care

Radar said it is a process that is laborious, taking away valuable care resource at a time when the sector is facing significant staff shortages and is open to human error.

Manual interpretation of data from disparate sources, such as Internet of Things devices through to care planning systems, can take up as much as 30 per cent of the workload for some staff members, it said.

The funding will enable Radar to develop an API accessible system, which will help to address a key strategic priority in the NHS 10-year plan to integrate data sources for improved care delivery and transparency.

It is expected to be capable of third-party software and device integration enabling automated analysis of data and actions from a combination of devices and systems.

Combining data sources in this system will lead to improved efficiencies in information flow, and support benchmarking between operators at a regional and national level, Radar said.

It will enable informed, insight-driven decision making based on integrating data through one central system, avoiding duplication of effort and allow more rapid interventions.

Through this consolidation of data, the system will also help address regional disparities in care by increasing transparency and communication and sharing of best practice.

Mark Fewster, chief product officer at Radar Healthcare, said: “We want to use data to make a real difference.

"There are a huge number of data sources in the care sector, we know there is a need to integrate and analyse this data, but this is something that is currently a significant resource drain for a sector which already has a huge shortfall in labour resource.

“The funding from Innovate UK will allow us to create a solution that will not only lead to improved efficiencies in the flow of information between systems, but also offers significant value in benchmarking performance between operators at a regional and even national level.”

He added: “Ultimately, and most importantly, this system will allow for improved quality of care out of hospital and help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.”

Innovate UK is the UK’s national innovation agency.

It supports business-led innovation in all sectors, technologies and UK regions.

Its aim is to help businesses grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, processes, and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive, and easy to navigate.

The project is expected to span 18 months.

Radar Healthcare, based at Avenue HQ on East Parade in Leeds city centre, is a supplier of risk and compliance software to the health and care sectors.

It combines digital innovation with hands-on experience in healthcare environments, with the end goal being to make healthcare safer.

The company believes that spotting trends and analysing data isn’t just for board reporting, it’s learning how to prevent incidents and improve future outcomes through continuous improvements.

Radar Healthcare says it understands the day-to-day pressures and challenges faced, which is why its software is constantly evolving to stay on top of the latest requirements.