HMA Digital Marketing and collaborators at the University of Sheffield’s Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare (CATCH) have won a prestigious healthcare award in recognition of their work into developing user-friendly mobile technologies to support the elderly.

HMA and CATCH fought off stiff competition across the North of England to scoop the Innovative Ageing Award at the annual Bionow Awards which took place at the Mere Golf Resort and Spa, Cheshire, on Thursday 27 November. Now in its 13th year, the Bionow Awards showcases the very best Northern innovations from within the life sciences sector.

Demonstrating innovative approaches that have the potential to improve the quality of life of the elderly, the South Yorkshire collaborators have designed and developed a suite of mobile healthcare apps that promote self-care, independence and healthy living. The collaboration has secured significant funding as well as the involvement of charity and healthcare industry partners.

Ceri Batchelder, Business Development Director at HMA Digital Marketing said “We are honoured that HMA and CATCH have been acknowledged for our innovation with such a highly regarded industry award. Our partnership with the University has made it possible for HMA to develop a new area of business in digital healthcare that supports people in self-managing their health and in living more independently.”

Dr Peter Cudd, Senior Researcher at CATCH said “Winning this award reflects our strong collaborative nature and how we’ve brought together our complementary skills. The team at CATCH took a user-centred focus to discover the needs of the elderly, including those with dementia, visual impairment and hearing loss, to inform the digital design and development process at HMA. Once working prototypes were developed, these were then tested with user groups to refine features and functionality in readiness for taking to market.”

Notes to the newsdesk

For more information contact Fiona Higgins, Senior Marketing Manager on 01226 209450 or email fiona@hma.co.uk

For more information about CATCH contact Amy Bouchier on 0114 2226394 or email
a.bouchier@sheffield.ac.uk