Experts are to examine ways technology can improve the delivery of rural services.

In a £12.4m study, esearchers at Aberdeen University will investigate ways digital technology can help deliver services such as healthcare and transport to rural communities.

They will also investigate ways technology can benefit rural business by promoting new forms of enterprise in sectors such as tourism and nature conservation.

Money - from the Research Councils UK's (RCUK) Digital Economy programme - is the largest single externally funded grant to be received by the university.

The five-year project will be conducted around four main themes:

• accessibility and mobilities
• healthcare
• enterprise and culture
• natural resource conservation

University vice-chancellor Duncan Rice said: "It brings together experts from different disciplines to exploit rapidly-advancing digital technology and bring economic, health, and quality of life benefits to rural communities.

"This will not only harness economic potential but also change in very practical ways the lives of millions of people across the UK and beyond."

Based at the King's College Campus in Aberdeen, the Rural Digital Economy Research Hub will create 60 new jobs and studentships.

Experts in computer science, transport, healthcare and sociology will work together to assess rural needs.

Once developed, new digital technology will be tested within real life situations.

Key partners will include the NHS, transport provider FirstGroup, enterprise agencies, rural business organisations and community groups.

The project could include, for example, the creation of an online "marketplace" connecting travellers, vehicles and transport services.

The aim would be to provide rural residents with access to flexible transport solutions which matched their needs.

Researchers believe digital technology could also enable rural healthcare teams to share information with patients and carers.

This could help improve delivery of rural healthcare.

It could include the use of small wireless kits to monitor patient health, including heart rates, breathing and blood pressure.

Data would then be sent over a network to medical staff and emergency services.

The hub will also work to establish a network of academic partners at other institutions in the UK and overseas.

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written by Crispin, May 01, 2009

I agree with a lot of this Gordon.

And I think CRC and AMT are making some joint move and proposals to Hazel Blears to generate some more interest and attention from her department (the self styled 'department of place') on matters small/market towns.

Two quick thoughts on ways in which structures are important:

1. the role particularly of Town Councils - and also of Town parterships - in the 9 new shire unitary authorities just established should be well capable of growing - hopefully positively and creatively. (We are working with the National Association of Local Councils to help them realise some of these potential developments...)
2. having recently returned from an ECOVAST small towns visit to Austria I am, as usual, struck by the importance of elected mayors for small towns and by the importance of access of such towns to local business and other forms of taxation - which can generate a focus on the longer term future well being and development of a town

Crispin Moor

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