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Dame Joan Bakewell, the Government's 'Voice of Older People', has today officially opened Coventry University's new £4.5 million Health Design & Technology Institute (HDTI) building.

HDTI is working with businesses, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals and users to develop products and services to improve the daily living of the ageing population, people with disabilities, and chronic illnesses.

Dame Joan, who opened the building in front of over 100 guests at the University’s Technology Park, took the opportunity to speak about the increasing importance of supporting Britain’s ageing population – and how the University’s HDTI was taking a significant lead in this field.

"There is no doubt that as a population we are living longer – and it’s probable
that the person is already born who will live to be 150,” Dame Joan said. “Medicine, hygiene and social care increase our chances of totting up the years. But longevity for its own sake is not the appropriate objective.

“What matters more is the quality of how those years are lived. Mere existence without any quality of life is not in itself to be valued. The things that make life valuable are the same in your 80s and 90s as when you are younger:relative physical comfort, freedom from anxiety, fulfilling activity and the joys of family and friends. Anything that adds to these values will be benefiting the human race.

“It is no exaggeration to say that the projects in prospect from the HDTIdirectly contribute to these objectives. What HDTI is doing will widen the debate, broaden provision and provide a regular monitor of how well society is serving its old people.

The immediate political agenda may change but the HDTI's commitment willremain steadfast.”

HDTI Director Simon Fielden, responding to Dame Joan's opening address, said:
"It is very gratifying to hear Dame Joan’s support for the very valuable work being carried out by HDTI and its partner organisations. We will continue to build on the good start we have made to the work of the Institute and look forward to continued success in driving innovation in assistive technology products and services.”

Since it formed two years ago HDTI has emerged as one of the UK’s leading centres for developing ‘assistive technologies' such as walking aids and wheelchairs, building and vehicle adaptations, consumer health products and healthcare technology.

The new HDTI building, funded by a capital investment from Advantage West Midlands, includes a mock-up area where companies can test prototypes, a
usability suite where new products can be evaluated by users, seminar rooms, a design studio, workshop and rentable office space for healthcare businesses.