Emerging technologies like 5G and IoT devices can bring valuable changes to the health and social care sector but only if they are affordable and accessible to all

This session will explore how 5G can lighten the load for health and social care at this critical point – ageing populations, reduced funding and analogue tele-health services switching off. If we can ensure poorer communities benefit equally from health/social care innovations/technologies. An ultra-fast, reliable, large-data-supporting technology is needed to run these technologies, which people in digitally deprived areas can’t afford. What key areas of health and social care provision could benefit most from a move to harness emerging technologies like 5G? What role does effective engagement between designers, disrupters, technology SMEs and public sector bodies (council, hospitals, care providers) have in creating health technologies that’s useful and easily adopted? Liverpool 5G Health and Social Care is providing a free 5G-style community intranet to volunteers in Kensington. The volunteers are trialling new technologies that support them to live independently with conditions like diabetes (anti-loneliness apps, home sensors, video-to-pharmacy medi-link.)