Official opening of Coventry University's Health Design & Technology Institute

Dame Joan Bakewell, the UK Government's official 'Voice for Older People', is the guest of honour at the official opening of an innovative Coventry University research institute championing a national initiative to provide better community healthcare products and services for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Journalists and photographers are invited to join Dame Joan at the launch of the new Health Design & Technology Institute (HDTI), which has been funded through a capital investment of £4.5 million from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands.

The new HDTI building includes a mock-up area where companies can test prototypes, a usability suite where new products can be evaluated by users, seminar rooms, a design studio, workshop and rentable office space for healthcare businesses.

Dame Joan, who is available for interview between 1.30 and 2.00pm at the launch on Wednesday 13 January, said about the HDTI:

"This really is an excellent initiative by Coventry University and it arrives at just the right time. Combining research with entrepreneurial skills, the HDTI will have the capacity to make a real impact on the lives who need it most. I welcome the new facility and look forward to the important rewards it will deliver."

HDTI Director Simon Fielden, also available for interview at the launch event, said:

“Our focus is on developing assistive technologies for the individual, rather than medical devices for surgical intervention or use in hospital settings. The new building presents a significant opportunity for us to develop our work in areas such as building and vehicle adaptations, walking aids and wheelchairs, consumer health products and healthcare technology. We are absolutely thrilled that Dame Joan has agreed to open the building and we look forward to welcoming her to Coventry."

Philip Roberts, Partnerships Director for Coventry at Advantage West Midlands, added his support for HDTI:

“This is fantastic news for Coventry and Warwickshire as well as for the West Midlands economy.

"Advantage West Midlands has supported this project right from the start. The Agency’s capital investment in the HDTI reflects our commitment to supporting innovation – a key priority of the West Midlands Economic Strategy – and supports the work of the Agency-backed medical technologies cluster.

“The West Midlands has become a recognised force in the medical technologies world. The region is leading the way in support for medical technologies and in particular for the commercialisation of healthcare-related technologies and services. Despite difficult times in the last year we have seen the sector go from strength to strength, offering great opportunities for our region’s industry. HDTI will help build on this strength and support firms in this region to develop, access and make the most of emerging opportunities.”

For more information about the Health Design & Technology Institute at Coventry University go to http://www.coventry.ac.uk/hdti/

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