Welcoming government commitment to digital mental health

David Docherty, Chief Executive of the National Centre said:
“I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to investment in digital mental health services. The digital healthcare revolution is one of the most exciting challenges for the UK’s emerging industrial strategy. It is absolutely imperative that businesses, universities and government join forces to deliver and drive success.”

The National Centre for Universities and Business Task Force on Digital Healthcare and Healthy Living is focused on major challenges, such as the use of real time clinical data, the digital skills of the next generation of healthcare providers, and using digital games in mental health for children and adolescents.

National Centre members are already working on digital interactivity and health. For example University College London and University of East Anglia developed a digital game, Sea Hero Quest to help speed up dementia research, in collaboration with industry and Alzheimer’s Research UK. The game follows a son’s quest to capture his father’s lost memories and was designed to track and help advance our understanding of spatial navigation. To date the game has been played by almost 2.5 million people, making ‘Sea Hero Quest’ the largest dementia study in history.

ENDS

The National Centre for Universities and Business – Inspiring universities and business to work together for growth and prosperity.

A National Centre Task Force convenes leaders from universities, government and business to focus on a particular economic sector or issue. We work together to identify problems and examine issues in depth. Chaired by Beverley Bryant (Director of Digital Transformation, NHS Digital); John Jeans (Chairman, EM Imaging; Chairman, UK Biocentre and Adviser to the Prime Minister, Medical Technologies) and Professor Patrick Johnston (VC Queen’s University Belfast), the Task Force will focus on major challenges, such as the use of real time clinical data, the digital skills of the next generation of healthcare providers, and using digital games in mental health.

The Digital Healthcare and Healthy Living Task Force will review and make recommendations on innovation and graduate skills necessary to strengthen the UK’s position.

For further information

Shivaun Meehan Head of Communications T: +44 (0)20 7383 8193
James Lenney Digital Communications Officer T: +44 (0)20 7383 8185