BOFFINS at a Saltaire-based research and development company have pioneered technology to help NHS patients take their prescribed medication regularly.

The new Meds Companion device developed by the Advanced Digital Institute at Salts Mill could help the NHS reduce costs and is being trialled by clinical commissioning groups in the Bradford district. A national launch is planned for next year.

Meds Companion has been developed following reports that between 30 and 50 per cent of patients may not be taking their prescribed medications correctly.

By downloading the Meds Companion App onto their smart phone patients will be able to record when they take their medicine, or alternatively press a button on a smart device at home to confirm they have taken their medication.

The app and smart device are connected to the patient's healthcare provider who can track whether if they are taking the medicine. If a dose is missed, the patient automatically gets reminded through the device or a smart phone text message with healthcare professionals also alerted.

ADI was awarded the contract to develop Meds Companion by the Small Business Research Initiative for Healthcare and has partnered with communications infrastructure company Arqiva to manage patient data. Lloyds Pharmacy clinical contact centre is also partnering with ADI to roll the product out to patients.

John Eaglesham,ADI chief executive, said: "The combination of the latest research from Leeds University into the psychology of health behaviours and Arqiva's new smart network means Meds Companion is more robust, convenient, and effective than previous attempts to manage medicines adherence proficiently through technology. "

Meanwhile, ADI has marked its tenth anniversary by launching a bursary for Yorkshire's outstanding engineering student.

The first bursary have been awarded to 17 year-old Shipley software development student Callum Snowden, who is studying at Leeds City College,

The bursary scheme will recognize and nurture engineering talent across the region and help recipients study for an engineering degree at a Yorkshire university.

John Eaglesham said: "ADI was set up to stimulate research and development innovation in the Yorkshire region in 2005. Ten years on, we now employ 25 people and are developing products in areas from heating controllers to bank note checkers through to a range of digital health apps.

"In this first year we are delighted to announce the bursary has been awarded to Callum Snowden who has demonstrated outstanding potential in the electronics field." .

Callum said: "This is a big boost to my studies and I'm very pleased to have the support of a company that is genuinely at the cutting edge of technology and engineering research and development."