Digital health in rural communities: bridge or barrier?

Digital health in rural communities: bridge or barrier?
This event is for anyone working to improve rural health and care – from the NHS and local councils to tech innovators, academics and community groups. If you're interested in digital inclusion, rural innovation or reducing health inequalities, join us.Digital tools have the potential to transform access to healthcare – improving how people engage with services and boosting health outcomes. But in rural areas, patchy connectivity, low digital confidence and limited infrastructure mean these benefits aren’t always felt. In fact, without a tailored approach, digital solutions could deepen health inequalities.
This event kicks off a new NICRE-led project, working with partners across the North East and North Cumbria. It’s supported by the NortHFutures Digital Health Hub and brings together lived experience and expertise to address this shared challenge.
Together, we’ll explore how digital health can be designed to work for rural communities – not against them.
Join us to:

• · Hear of practical examples where digital tools have made a difference in rural health and care.
  
• · Explore the technical and social barriers– and how we can overcome them through collaboration.
  
• · Help build a regional network to support rural digital innovation, co-designed with communities and built around local needs.
  

What to expect:
A day of case studies, interactive workshops and informal networking, with space for organisations to showcase their work.

Can’t join us in person?
We’d still love to hear from you. If you’d like to feed into the project or find out more, email nicre@newcastle.ac.uk