Innovate UK: the long-term care revolution.

Abstract

Innovate UK is the United Kingdom's innovation agency. It works with people, companies and partner organisations to find and drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy; delivering productivity, new jobs and exports and keeping the United Kingdom globally competitive in the race for future prosperity.Innovate UK's Independent Living Innovation Platform drives innovation and delivers productivity to meet the requirements of demographic change in Britain. Our view is that this is an unprecedented, progressive, rapid, indefinite global phenomenon that has never before occurred in the history of mankind. It presents as an engine for economic growth, a fulcrum for new business development and business models, new drivers for innovation and opportunities to harness the best of Britain in adding value to later life.Peter Wintlev-Jensen, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission, DG Connect Programme, states that 'innovation is achieving something significant that otherwise would not happen unless you are prepared to take the risk and do something special'.This is the premise upon which the Long Term Care Revolution programme hinges. It is an ambitious programme of work that tackles head-on the institutional model of long-term care that has existed in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, as far back as the early 19th century. Incredibly, for the 21st century it remains our primary model of provision for older adults who require high levels of nursing care, despite the many social and economic issues that plague the system.To keep pace with demographic projections over the next 50 years, residential and nursing home places would need to rise by around 150%, the number of hours of home care would need to expand by around 140% and long-term care expenditure would need to rise by around 317% in real terms between 2000 and 2051.1 A recent Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) report indicated that already the number of older adults in need of care is expected to outstrip the number of family members able to provide informal care for the first time in 2017.2 Innovate UK commissioned a Populus survey in 2011 which revealed that of the 2,061 adults who responded, 79% felt that the current institutional system of longterm care was out of date and needed more innovation in products and services for older adults. This figure rose to 83% among respondents who were 55 years and over. In all, 76% of respondents wanted an alternative to institutional care homes.3The Long Term Care Revolution programme aims to radically rethink current models of long-term care and dependency (technological, social and financial). The vision is to eventually replace the existing institutional model of provision with a dynamic market for sustainable and affordable solutions, ensuring that when high levels of nursing care and support are required, people can make the transition to more dependent lifestyles on their own terms, in their own homes and communities.The Long Term Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) national challenge opened in February 2015 and closed in September 2015, offering an investment opportunity of up to £4 million to UK companies and consortia for innovative, radical and high-risk ideas with real potential to disrupt the institutional model of longterm care provision. Supported by NatWest/Royal Bank of Scotland, the Royal Society of Public Health, the Scottish Digital Institute for Health and Care, the European Commission and Arup, a series of roadshows and events were held across the country which captured the imagination of private, public and third sector stakeholders alike. …