Assistive AI Updates

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…

A free to join webinar taking place at the end of June will encourage medical device innovators to learn more about new post-market surveillance (PMS) legislation and how to successfully navigate it. Formal NHS Scotland partner InnoScot Health will host the educational session on 25 June from 12-12.45pm entitled ‘The new post-market surveillance legislation…

The Welsh Government has awarded Powys County Council a grant to make improvements to six public toilet facilities, with Llandrindod Wells expected to become the first town in Mid Wales to offer a Changing Places toilet alongside individual cubicles. This means families, residents, tourists, and commuters between North and South Wales with severe disabilities…

Levitex Rehab Range Hugga sleep system Levitex, a sleep posture brand, has launched the Levitex Rehab Range, which is designed to support elderly people to live at home independently and safely through accessible at-home recovery solutions. The new range brings tried-and-tested clinical support tools, like lumbar cushions, pressure-relieving seat toppers, and spinal alignment aids,…