The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Innovation Observatory, hosted at Newcastle University, is leading discussions to expedite growth in children’s HealthTech innovation, driving much-needed advancements in this underrepresented sector.
Despite children and young people making up a quarter of the global population, only around 5% of HealthTech innovations are designed for this group. HealthTech can revolutionise children’s health, wellbeing and rehabilitation with inclusive innovations including robotics, sensors and monitors, virtual or augmented reality tools and digital platforms – yet these technologies remain underutilised.
To tackle this challenge, NIHR Innovation Observatory and over 20 key partners including NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health, the Academy of Medical Sciences and The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health hosted the Hacking Child HealthTech event in June 2024 at Newcastle University. The event brought together experts across research, life sciences, industry, healthcare, education, voluntary, and business sectors all with a shared interest in driving growth and developing tech which is inclusive and meets the needs of children and young people.
Speaking at the event were The Early Ideas Team, an exciting tech startup based in London who have developed Tandem, an AI app that can be used by parents and children to create stories that match a child’s reading level and interests.
“We are passionate about early childhood development and the role technology plays in supporting young minds,” said Alastair van Heerden, Co-Founder & CTO of Tandem. “We fully support the Innovation Observatory’s mission to drive inclusive, impactful HealthTech solutions for children.”
Building on the momentum, the NIHR Innovation Observatory has released a new report outlining key takeaways from the event, including the societal benefits of championing paediatric HealthTech and the urgent actions needed to accelerate progress.
Professor Niina Kolehmainen, Lead for Children’s Health and Wellbeing at NIHR Innovation Observatory highlighted:
“It’s more crucial than ever to Spark Progress in children’s HealthTech. Now is the time for widespread action and cross-sector collaboration to design HealthTech specifically for children. Technology revolution for children is underway at high pace. It is up to us to shape it, and ensure it’s impact on children and society is positive.”
Professor Helen Minnis FMedSci, co-chair of the Academy of Medical Sciences’ Prioritising Early Childhood to Promote the Nation’s Health, Wellbeing and Prosperity report, and keynote speaker at the Hacking Child HealthTech event in June 2024 said:
“We support the NIHR IO on its collaborative, evidence-based approach of bringing children, families and cross-sector partners together to develop solutions that will help reduce fragmentation in children’s health services. We know that frontloading investment in the earliest years delivers lifelong benefits, making this work by the NIHR IO essential to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive by five.”
Experts will gather at the Child Health Technology Conference on 11–12 June 2025, where the latest research and innovations in paediatric health technology will be explored.
Professor Paul Dimitri, Clinical Director at the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health, added:
“The Hacking Child HealthTech event was a pivotal moment in advancing child health technology. At the upcoming Child Health Technology Conference, we will continue shaping the future of paediatric healthcare together.”
Read the full NIHR Innovation Observatory report here.
Photo caption: AI generated image – Toddler interacting with robot at home, Professor Helen Minnis FMedSci, Co-chair of the Academy of Medical Science speaking at the Hacking Child HealthTech event in 2024 and Professor Niina Kolehmainen, Lead for Children’s Health and Wellbeing at NIHR Innovation Observatory in audience at Hacking Child HealthTech event in 2024.
