Assistive AI Updates

Beechfield Healthcare has been awarded a major tender by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Republic of Ireland for the supply of pressure-relieving mattresses to Community Healthcare Organisation Area 8 (CHO8). The Irish healthcare provider scored the highest for technical merit and value for money against stringent assessment criteria. Beechfield Healthcare says the…

The Royal Society’s new report explores the potential for data-driven assistive technologies to reduce barriers that disabled people encounter in their everyday lives. From voice assistants, speech-to-text software, and smartphone apps for daily living, the report highlights the digital assistive technologies (AT) disabled people are using in work, play, rest, and care. The Royal…

New research from Citizens Advice reveals that someone makes a complaint every hour about assistive technology, with the majority of complaints being about defective goods. While assistive devices, like mobility products, stairlifts, and hearing aids, are crucial for helping disabled people remain independent, Citizens Advice highlights that it has dealt with cases where people…

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) is hosting its 10th annual Co-production Week event from 30 June to 4 July 2025. Co-Production Week is a celebration of the contribution people with lived experience make to creating better social care. This year’s theme, ‘Innovation through co-production’, is a celebration and exploration of the power of…

Motability Operations has launched its EV Transition Tracker. Findings from the Tracker reveal challenges for the UK’s transition to electric vehicles, as many disabled people struggle with the public charging network. Almost half of the UK public say they will not choose an electric vehicle until there is no other option, according to the…

Older people living in the North East or the East Midlands are six times less likely to be living in a fully accessible home compared to people living in London, new analysis from the Centre for Ageing Better reveals. The charity defines a fully accessible home as a property with all four basic accessibility…

On 13 June 2025, Isaac Samuels, Trustee at the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025. In response to receiving the OBE, Isaac Samuels OBE said: “I am humbled and honoured to receive this recognition.…

Gary Baker, Medical Devices Director at Squirrel Medical Gary Baker, Medical Devices Director at Squirrel Medical, outlines the tightening regulatory landscape surrounding active mattresses, where independent audit, MHRA registration, and full traceability are now mandatory under UK law — and non-compliance carries serious clinical, legal, and reputational consequences. In a healthcare market increasingly defined…

Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introduced new measures to Parliament on 18 June 2025, which will see people affected by changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC) given additional protection. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which is set to be…