Description of the goods or services required
Welsh Government have a vision to revolutionise healthcare in Wales by creating a comprehensive, safe, secure holistic health experience that seamlessly integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) with human expertise and cutting-edge technology.
Traditional healthcare systems in Wales are confined to specific locations, limiting accessibility for patients and clinicians. Rural areas and the elderly often face inadequate access to healthcare services. Whilst there are examples of health pods / medical cabins which have been previously developed, our vision is to create spaces that are inspired by nature, built with and for Welsh citizens, with a fundamental focus on adapting to individual needs and improving access to care for all.
This challenges seeks to support the design and demonstration of innovative health spaces, inspired by nature and designed with individual needs in mind. To support this, the project will run in two phases and applicants must be successful in Phase 1 to be able to apply for Phase 2 funding.
Phase 1: Prototype development must include:
Working with our citizens within Wales to co-create a prototype pod/unit that is user friendly, safe, secure, affordable and accessible for all.
Improved Accessibility, bringing healthcare services to convenient locations, reaching more people and improving health & care outcomes.
Products used must be, Sustainable, Recyclable and Green, with a focus on inspired by nature.
Other considerations must include, Soundproofing, self-cleaning, comfortable, friendly, safety and security.
Successful project applicants must be able to attend the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham from 2nd – 9th August, in order to present and share their designs / scale models / prototypes and capture potential end-user feedback.
Phase 2: Demonstrator must include:
Partnering with Welsh businesses /suppliers to build a working prototype that can be tested with market ready digital solutions that comply to NHS Wales architecture, standards and Cyber security.
High-definition video conferencing technology for face-to-face consultations with qualified doctors. Some of these systems are already in use within NHS Wales.
People can expect the demonstrator to support health & care checks guided by clinicians/practitioners, including vital signs measurements.
Be able to securely send and receive real time data
Addressing inequities and utilizing best practice to support people who are less likely to engage with services.
Welsh Language must be included, with the added consideration for the diverse landscape and languages of those living within Wales.
Out of Scope
We are not looking to fund projects that:
Aim to develop new healthcare technology – the aim of this challenge is to consider how the space can be adapted incorporate market available and emerging healthcare technology.
Cannot evidence engagement with potential future customers to understand needs.
Fail to address how any potentially negative outcomes would be managed.
Cannot evidence how a proposal will generate positive economic or societal impact.
Fail to consider affordability & practicality of widespread implementation including capital, infrastructure and future operating costs.
Integration to any national systems during this SBRI trial will be out scope but consideration should be given to compatibility with Health Board systems and NHS Wales App, i.e. ensuring secure and reliable digital connectivity
Cannot meet Welsh language standards or demonstrate potential for multi-lingual functionality.
Cannot demonstrate that accessibility and equity are core considerations throughout solution development and demonstration
Desirable Exit Points
The aim of the funding is to enable the design and development of innovative health spaces. Awarded proposals are expected to demonstrate some of the following exit points upon project completion:
Determine and test the operational processes of the space which will include safety, security, cleanliness, availability and accessibility.
Consider how the development can be informed by biomimicry, emulating nature’s designs to solve human problems and create more sustainable and efficient solutions.
Develop and test the clinical / practitioner engagement processes for providing alternative support for health and care.
Determine and test the added value versus current clinical / practitioner engagements / operating costs, with a key focus on affordability.
Develop, test and demonstrate alignment with market ready technical and AI systems.
Determine and test the ideal placement of the spaces to ensure maximum and effective use, including reaching those who are less likely to engage with existing services.
Develop knowledge that can be shared, i.e. creative commons, to inform how accessibility can be better addressed and benefits delivered for the entirety of Health & Social Care.
Funding Allocation & Project Details
This challenge is open to applications that deliver Phase 1 Feasibility projects, with the potential to participate in Phase 2 demonstration, subject to successful Phase 1 delivery and budget availability. Applications should focus on Phase 1 delivery at this stage as Phase 2 funding is yet to be confirmed.
Phase 1 Feasibility – Supporting feasibility projects to design nature inspired health and care spaces which are adaptable to market ready and emerging healthcare technology, with a core focus on accessibility and equitable access to care. Phase 1 funding is available to support up to 5 projects, with a budget of up to £50,000 (inc. VAT) per project.
Applications should focus on Phase 1 delivery at this stage as Phase 2 funding is yet to be confirmed. Phase 2 funding will be subject to availability and dependent upon the outcomes of Phase 1 Feasibility.
The funder reserves the right to apply a ‘portfolio’ approach to project selection to ensure a variety of designs are considered and to support activity on a broad demographic basis.
We are looking for bidders to put forward applications that demonstrate a high level of commitment and willingness to work in partnership with our health and care organisations, key stakeholders and Welsh suppliers throughout project delivery. In return, the project team will receive support on a regular basis from a dedicated Stakeholder Group working closely over the project time period to understand the key barriers and enablers.
Your application must:
Demonstrate a clear plan for commercialisation and a route to market for affordable, developed solutions;
Deliver against the aims set out in A Healthier Wales Plan;
Consider, and address where necessary, equality, diversity and inclusion aspects across your project, your sector(s) and society;
Address how any potentially negative outcomes would be managed;
Ensure personal safety is paramount and any risks clearly articulated with robust mitigation in place.
Please note any adoption and implementation of a solution from this competition could be subject of a separate, possibly competitive, procurement exercise. This competition does not cover the long-term purchase of any solution, although we may choose to extend this project by investigating and exploring innovative procurement routes as part of this challenge.
The total funding available for the competition can change and the funders reserve the right to adjust the provisional funding allocations, I.e., should additional funding become available.
Our challenge to Industry and Academia is to design a space where our citizens can remotely access services. A creative healthcare space which is flexible, is moveable, that can provide the same high-quality healthcare services regardless of location, making healthcare accessible for all. We want to be able to use technology to enhance existing healthcare practices without replacing them, providing a sustainable point of care and recreating an atmosphere of confidence.
By implementing this vision, Welsh Government aims to transform healthcare in Wales, making it more accessible, efficient, and person-centered.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=151158.
|