Professor Kia Nazarpour, Chair in Digital Health at the School of Informatics will lead a new partnership with Tunstall Healthcare, industrial pioneers in tele-care. The University of Edinburgh and Tunstall Healthcare Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding at an event in Edinburgh City Chambers earlier this month. Image Back row, left to right: Matthew Barras, Lead Innovation Engineer, Tunstall; Professor Kia Nazarpour, Personal Chair of Digital Health, University of Edinburgh. Front row, left to right: Professor Helen Hastie, Head of School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh; Patricia Wynn, Chief Health Care and Strategy Officer, Tunstall. Development of digital tools for telecare Under the agreement, the two organisations will work on the development and deployment of digital tools and techniques for telecare. The partnership will facilitate the exchange of academic and industrial expertise to harness the growing potential of data- and AI-led innovations. It aims to accelerate the delivery of innovative solutions in digital care. The range and depth of research conducted through the partnership will pave the way for larger, multi-partner collaborations focused on the development of innovations in digital health. Transforming later life care The University’s Advanced Care Research Centre will provide the academic ecosystem for the partnership, bringing together researchers across fields including medicine and other care professions, engineering, informatics, data and social sciences. The Advanced Care Research Centre aims to transform care in later life using personalised care enabled by data science, artificial intelligence, assistive technologies and robotics embedded in systems of health and social care which are highly responsive to the wishes, priorities and needs of individual people in later life. We are delighted to announce this exciting collaboration with Tunstall Healthcare Group, with the goal to co-create modern data-intensive and AI-enabled solutions to enhance community health and care management. Professor Helen HastieHead of the School of Informatics I am truly thrilled to announce Tunstall’s collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, an institution renowned for its research and innovation. For over 65 years, Tunstall has been at the forefront of using technology to enhance independent living and improve the quality of life for those with long-term care needs. As an advocate for the integration of technology in care models, this partnership perfectly aligns with Tunstall's longstanding vision. I am confident that, together, we will pioneer advancements that reshape the future of health and care. Patricia WynnChief Health Care and Strategy Officer, Tunstall Healthcare Group The UK's digital switchover in 2025 presents significant opportunities to redefine the care sector with the use of digital technologies and AI. Our partnership leverages Tunstall's existing data infrastructure and decades of telecare service delivery to innovate future person-centred and AI-enabled solutions. Professor Kia NazarpourChair in Digital Health at the University of Edinburgh, and academic lead for the Edinburgh-Tunstall partnership Experts in digital health Tunstall Healthcare is a technology company established 65 years ago that specialises in digital health and care services. It is a key player in the telehealth market. Professor Kia Nazarpour is a Chair in Digital Health at the School of Informatics. His research interests are digital health and care, neural systems and rehabilitation engineering. He leads a team of researchers with the central vision to improve the nation's health and well-being by enhancing citizens' physical movement throughout their life course. Related links Link to Kia Nazarpour's personal page Link to Tunstall Healthcare website Link to Advanced Care Research Centre website Link to University newsroom announcement Publication date 30 Oct, 2023
