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Press Release

7 October 2009 (Brighton, UK): Healthcare TV sets the way for informal learning and is included in the ‘Enhancing Informal Learning In Care Settings’ report as one of ten examples of existing practice that are enabling and assisting informal learning in care settings.

The report outlines the need for more learning opportunities for older people in care settings and was published by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) to coincide with UK Older People’s Day on 1 October 2009. It is part of a wider project - Enhancing informal learning in care settings – created to improve the wellbeing of older people in care and to help and encourage care staff in supporting learning activities.

Healthcare TV, the result of a recent collaboration between OmniVision and Global Digital Broadcast (GDBTV), is being set up to improve the quality of life among residents of care homes and retirement villages and to maintain the high standards of the care staff. It provides programming to enlighten, entertain and educate the residents, which, ranges from educational and learning programmes, including health, financial and retirement issues, to films of the residents own choice.

In addition to being the perfect platform to deliver informative and entertaining content to the residents, Healthcare TV can also be used to deliver important Government messages and/or Public Information Films to the residents, free of any other form of advertising, such as short films about mental health and climate change for example.

Enhancing informal adult learning for older people in care settings is putting into practice the commitments of The Learning Revolution White Paper, which reported that ‘learning can improve the health and quality of life for older people in care, but too often it’s missing’.

Funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the report draws on feedback from organisations and individuals and highlights examples of existing practice, setting out the challenges in providing more learning opportunities for older people in care settings. An on-line forum has been created on the Learning Revolution discussion-site to capture thoughts and ideas; these contributions will be included in the production of a toolkit of best practice to be published next year. To contribute, visit http://thelearningrevolution.ning.com/group/olderpeople.

Fiona Aldridge, NIACE Programme Director- Research, comments: “People in the UK are living longer than ever before. The number of people reaching the age of 85 is likely to double by 2026. So it is now more important than ever to look at improving learning opportunities for older people in care, as it can greatly improve their physical and mental well-being.”

“This interim report highlights some serious challenges, however, through working together with policy-makers and sector organisations, learning providers and voluntary organisations, as well as with managers and staff working on the ground we can revolutionise learning in care settings.”

Chris Morris, MD of OmniVision, comments: “It is so important for Healthcare TV to get the correct message across. We so often see photos or pictures on television of care home residents slumped in chairs in over-crowded lounges, seemingly bored or asleep and in media terms, such a scene is a cliché. The reality is mostly, much different. Residents may be physically disabled or suffering from illnesses like Parkinson's but they are usually mentally alert and anxious, opposite to their portrayal. That's why today, more and more, care home residents are keen to expand their learning horizons whatever their age. The intention of Healthcare TV is to complement the desire for an active lifestyle with informative and educational programmes in addition to entertainment programming targeted for care home residents of all ages”.

Jim Deans, co-founder and MD of GDBTV, adds: “As a member of the Informal Adult Learning Broadcast & Technology Forum, I am continuously encouraging of ways in which technology can support learning and Healthcare TV is a shining example. We, as a company, are happy to explore similar partnerships with anyone who, with our and their resources, can boost informal learning”.

For further information and to see the report, please visit: http://shop.niace.org.uk/learning-care-settings-interim-report.html

As a member of the stakeholder group, GDBTV continues to support both the ‘Enhancing Informal Learning In Care Settings’ project and The Learning Revolution.

ENDS.

Notes to editors:
For more information about The Learning Revolution visit: http://www.dius.gov.uk/skills/engaging_learners/informal_adult_learning/white_paper

About NIACE:
The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is the leading non-government organisation for lifelong learning in England, and exists to encourage more and different adults to engage in better-quality learning of all kinds. It campaigns for, and celebrates the achievements of, all adult learners. (www.niace.org.uk)

About Global Digital Broadcast:
Established in 2005 and headquartered in Brighton, East Sussex, Global Digital Broadcast (GDBTV) provides technical services in order to enable internet protocol television (IPTV) to be delivered by broadcasters around the world, to viewers around the world. It is the first to develop and implement such a comprehensive, end-to-end, IPTV application, including the G-Studio middleware; an IP set-top box (IP-STB); the online virtual set-top box (VSTB) application; secure age verification processes; and its pioneering MyPVR application, which enables the user/viewer to access previously screened programmes, including saving them in full.

GDBTV maintains and operates a number of international IPTV set-top box networks and can deliver globally online. (http://www.gdbtv.com)

About OmniVision:
OmniVision is an independent television production and post-production company based in the heart of the famous Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire just outside London. The company specialises in corporate and television productions for terrestrial and satellite broadcasters and businesses worldwide. OmniVision has worked closely with Barchester Healthcare, during the past 8 years, filming various activities among its 10,000+ residents and also producing a series of care training films. (www.omnivision.co.uk)





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