A WAY to help cut NHS waiting lists and technology that can aid young people with mental health issues are among a raft of solutions unveiled in Edinburgh.
Eleven firms bidding to help revolutionise the way public services are delivered in Scotland revealed the prototypes of their ideas at the CivTech Demo Day at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, now in its third year.
CivTech, which is part of the Scottish Government, links firms who are devising solutions to problems faced by public sector bodies such as councils, police and the NHS.
Among this year’s challenges, Stirling Council and the NHS are pushing to open a wider mental health discussion to help young people with problems affecting relationships and work or study.
Read more: Tech firms to unveil the public service prototypes 'that will make people's lives better'
Edinburgh-based Voxsio said its conversational search tool uses artificial intelligence to help people receive personalised answers to complex questions about mental health.
It said: “Voxsio will use conversational AI to provide assisted access to information and services about mental health and wellbeing.
Voxsio's misson to engage young people and give them the tools and knowledge to manage their mental wellbeing with their interface Alli-chat featured Stirling high school students at the center of the procurement process @chat_alli @VoxsioAI
— CivTechScotland (@CivTechScotland) February 6, 2019
#YOYP2018 #civtechdemoday pic.twitter.com/GAsbyU9O0C
“Our product will create conversations that help young people, their friends, family and teachers access the personalised information and support they need.
“It’ll provide signposting and referrals to additional services and advice. And it’ll explore how conversational AI can provide ongoing proactive support that helps young people monitor and maintain their mental wellbeing.”
That's a wrap! Packed to the rafters for a hugely successful Demo Day 3.0. Are you a public organisation daring to do things differently by procuring an innovative citizen led solution? Contact us in June to get involved in CivTech 4.0! #CivTechDemoDay pic.twitter.com/cgQmyICvc4
— CivTechScotland (@CivTechScotland) February 6, 2019
A solution to problems with waiting times could be supplied to the NHS with tech that involves the patient more.
Read more: Scots firms to unveil 11 radical ways tech will help our lives
The Glasgow-based firm Cohesion said it will develop a data-driven system with embedded artificial intelligence to reduce demand “through improved patient self-management”, while increasing service capacity through better use of healthcare resources like information about beds and staff.
It said: “This system will reduce delays and bottlenecks by streamlining processes and workflows while generating real-time data analytics with live data views.”
By using data driven software, COHESION Medical's platform Cohdex monitors and reports patient health conditions, supporting personal care while optimising NHS resources and saving public money @CohesionMedical #civtechdemoday pic.twitter.com/n5Dau60xcU
— CivTechScotland (@CivTechScotland) February 6, 2019
Under the programme, challenges are set, to which any organisation, team or individual can respond and shortlisted proposals go into an exploration stage and are further developed.
The best go through to the accelerator with four months of working with challenge sponsors, the public, and the CivTech team through workshops.
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