Devices for Dignity (D4D) Healthcare Technology Co-operative was set up in 2008 as one of two pilot Department of Health programmes.

Devices for Dignity focuses on the identification of unmet patient needs and the design, development and evaluation of medical devices to address these needs. We are a national resource capable of getting new treatments and technologies into practice more quickly, improving healthcare quality and well-being for patients.

We operate nationally bringing together the ‘right team’ of expert clinicians, academics, patients, carers and industry to deliver the ‘right solution’ to address the specific need.

For patients and carers, we offer the opportunity to be involved in the activities that are leading to new treatments and management of long term conditions which are having a positive impact on quality of life.

For industry and academia, we can provide assistance and expertise in the development of products that meet real world needs, acting as a 'portal to the NHS'.

D4D is a true collaboration. We have a small core management team, and experts from NHS Trusts and academia work together to make our projects a reality, in many cases with industrial partners.

Our initial focus is on three key areas: Assistive Technology; Urinary Continence Management and Renal Technology.

We're particularly interested in innovations in treatments and technologies that have the potential to make a high impact by reducing morbidity and improving quality of life for a large population of patients, and improving the effectiveness of the health and care services supporting them.