Corporation Pop, a digital agency, has received a £50,000 boost to develop an innovative hospital app aimed at easing young patients’ hospital journeys.
The app incorporates augmented reality and artificial intelligence to provide an interactive guide, reducing stress and anxiety.
Innovative Use of Augmented Reality
Corporation Pop’s hospital app utilises augmented reality to create an engaging and informative experience for young patients. By integrating an avatar as the patient’s guide, the app offers children company and guidance, significantly alleviating the fear and anxiety associated with medical procedures. This unique approach not only transforms the patient’s journey but also marks a significant advancement in patient-centric healthcare solutions.
The avatar, known as the Patient’s Virtual Guide, allows children to navigate through hospital environments with greater ease. It ensures they receive essential information at every stage, fostering a sense of comfort and understanding. This cutting-edge application of technology represents a pivotal shift towards enhancing patient experiences within the healthcare system.
Funding and Development
The funding, provided by the Nominet Trust’s Social Tech Seed programme, is part of a broader initiative supporting early-stage tech innovations. Corporation Pop was one of eight companies to receive funding in this latest round, showcasing the potential of its app to redefine hospital stays for young patients.
With financial backing secured, Corporation Pop is poised to advance its app development, a process that has been in the works for nearly two years. The company had previously garnered support from TITCH, an NHS technology network, which underscores the app’s potential efficacy and importance in modernising paediatric healthcare.
The Personal Drive Behind the Innovation
The app’s development is a personal mission for Dom Raban, Corporation Pop’s managing director, whose daughter’s battle with cancer inspired the project.
Raban’s desire to alleviate the lack of information and mistrust his daughter experienced during her treatment fuels this technological solution. This personal connection underscores a commitment to transforming paediatric care through real-world experience and technological innovation.
With this new funding opportunity from Nominet Trust, Raban can continue to pursue his vision of creating a user-friendly, informative platform that meets the unique needs of young patients and their families.
Clinical Consultation and Support
Peter-Marc Fortune, associate clinical head at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and clinical consultant for Corporation Pop, emphasises the app’s potential impact across all ages within the NHS.
His positive feedback from pilot demonstrations to diverse age groups highlights the app’s utility in real-world settings. Fortune’s involvement provides clinical credibility and reinforces the app’s promise in improving healthcare experiences.
Such clinical collaborations are crucial in ensuring the app’s design meets the practical needs of patients and complements existing medical processes. This collaboration between technology and medicine illustrates a forward-thinking approach to healthcare innovation.
Broader Implications for Social Tech Ventures
The Nominet Trust is pivotal in supporting projects that leverage technology to drive social change. This hospital app is a testament to how digital innovations can enhance quality of life and healthcare efficiency.
Corporation Pop joins other forward-thinking ventures supported by the Nominet Trust, each addressing critical societal issues from disability to emergency response. This collaboration highlights the broader role of technology in addressing complex social challenges.
By enabling social innovators with necessary financial resources, Nominet Trust’s programme paves the way for impactful, technology-driven solutions like this app to thrive and expand. Future potential is substantial.
The Future of Augmented Reality in Healthcare
This development is indicative of a larger trend towards embracing digital tools in healthcare. Augmented reality holds significant promise in revolutionising patient interaction and education.
As hospitals increasingly adopt such technologies, the potential improvements in patient engagement and treatment adherence are vast. The app’s ground-breaking use of augmented reality offers a model for other institutions considering similar innovations.
Corporation Pop’s project acts as a catalyst, encouraging further research and investment in healthcare technologies that personalise and humanise medical experiences. Embracing this innovation could lead to a new era of patient care.
Nominet Trust’s Vision for Technological Innovation
Vicki Hearn, director of the Nominet Trust, believes in the essential role of funding to unlock the potential of digital tech to improve lives.
Her enthusiasm for the Social Tech Seed programme underscores its success in nurturing groundbreaking projects. The support provided to Corporation Pop exemplifies the Trust’s commitment to driving positive change through technology-driven solutions.
Corporation Pop’s augmented reality app not only demonstrates the transformative power of technology in healthcare but also highlights the societal impact potential.
The project stands as a beacon of innovation, promising substantial improvements in patient experiences and setting a precedent for future technological advancements in the field.