Call for proposals: monitoring of chronic illness in the home and remote settings

The increased incidence of chronic diseases and conditions presents a huge challenge not just to the NHS but worldwide. Long-term conditions or ‘chronic diseases’ are those that can only be controlled and not, at present, cured. These include diabetes, asthma, arthritis, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia and a range of disabling neurological conditions.

A greater shift towards self-monitoring and self-management could give a significant boost to patient care while reducing costs. The Health Innovation Challenge Fund (HICF), a joint funding initiative between the Wellcome Trust and the Department of Health, is currently inviting proposals for practical solutions to improve health monitoring in the home and remote settings.

UK institutions, companies, NHS Trusts and equivalent UK authorities are invited to submit a preliminary application by 1 October 2010.

Collaboration between academia, clinicians and industry is particularly encouraged. The HICF is targeting opportunities that can deliver a healthcare outcome within a timescale of around three to five years from the date of the funding decision.

For further information and application forms please click here