AI for NHS waiting lists and apps for foodbanks

26th June 2023

Sheryl Miles

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In the wake of headlines on tech’s impact on humanity, the 2023 Abilitynet Tech4Good Awards were announced last night at the Institute of Physics in London and online.

This year has seen a record number of entries from individuals, startups, charities, and global tech giants across the globe.

Created by UK disability tech charity AbilityNet over a decade ago, the awards celebrate people and organisations using tech to make the world a better place.

An illustrious panel of judges reviewed ten categories, with particularly notable awards including:

Ageing society award

Won by Milbotix for their SmartSocks. Designed in collaboration with Bristol Robotics Laboratory, SmartSocks aims to improve the wellbeing of millions by tracking distress in wearers including dementia sufferers. The comfy, high-tech footwear incorporates sensors and AI to helps carers intervene earlier and provides an alternative to other wearable devices that are more likely to be removed.

AI for good award

Won by Cambridge-based C2-Ai, which deploys AI to reduce NHS waiting lists. Through prioritising patients based on clinical urgency, its NHS England service evaluation post-pilot showed that emergency admissions have been reduced by 8%. It also means a reduction of 125 bed-days for every 1,000 patients, and potential savings of £2.4 billion for the NHS.

Community impact award

Won by UK-based charity BanktheFood. With food banks facing higher demand due to the cost-of-living crisis, the app tells donors what their local foodbank needs the most while they are doing their shopping. The app is easy-to-use, convenient, and an effective tool in the fight against food poverty in the UK.

As well as the prize on the night, the nine Tech4Good Award category winners receive dedicated support and resources to help them on the next stage of their tech journey. Support includes networking with other winners and finalists, crowdfunding programmes, and mentorship from industry leaders who make up the judging panel, sponsors, and AbilityNet’s experts.

The Awards are led by AbilityNet, Head of Marketing and Communications, Mark Walker, commented: “We are surrounded by stories about the harm that digital technology can do. The Tech4Good Awards celebrate the amazing people and organisations who use tech to make the world a better place and solves today’s challenges. Despite an uncertain economic climate, it is encouraging to see so many British winners on our list as innovative brilliance rises to the top and solves some of our biggest problems.”

Attendable has partnered with AbilityNet to organise and deliver the Tech4Good Awards. Additional partners include Access Austria, Access Israel, Catalyst, Crowdfunder, Deque, Fundación Once, Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative, Google, Good Things Foundation, International Association Accessibility Professionals, inABLE, Open Inclusion, Planet Abled, Rick Hansen Foundation, SEDRA, Team Lewis, TechTalent Charter, and Valuable 500.

Catherine Grinyer from Tech4Good Awards partner Attendable, says: "Tech4Good is where innovation and empathy meet, harnessing technology to address societal challenges and improve real lives. As our 2023 winners celebrate their achievements, let us continue in our mission to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and connected world. Together, let’s unlock the true potential of technology for the greater good.”