A majority of Mancunians are in favour of local and health authorities using smart technology to support vulnerable residents, according to a new survey.
The poll of 300 people in Manchester carried out by ICT infrastructure company KCOM showed 80% supported the idea of using tech to help those in need check-in with carers or family, while 59% liked the idea of it being used to remind those with health conditions to take their medicine, and 56% to monitor their vital signs.
Support for the idea of councils using smart technology was more divided: 47% agreed it could help their communities, while 46% believed it would be useful to themselves or someone they knew. But a significant minority of 12% saw benefit in having access to local services enabled by smart tech.
There was also a very low understanding of how it could be used beyond supporting health and wellbeing, with less than 1% registering their support.
Eddie Ginja, head of public sector at KCOM, said: “While it’s still early days, smart technology is transforming how residents interact with local services.
“Time and technology wait for no-one and councils will inevitably be pushed to join the smart revolution by their residents. Yet, starved of funding and slow to change, councils will find this an uphill battle.”
Image by And-Rew, public domain via Wikimedia Commons
