We’re excited to announce the launch of PD-WATCH, a groundbreaking project led by Dr. Anne Bernassau in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University (Dr Encarna Mico Amigo, Prof Marc Desmulliez, Mr Tiantao Jiang and Miss Sophia Otalora Gonzalez), NHS Tayside, and the University of Dundee (Dr Tom Gilbertson). Funded through the PBIAA – Tay Health Tech Grand Challenges initiative, the project is deploying a lightweight, flexible wearable patch that continuously monitors tremor and gait in people living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Parkinson’s affects over 13,000 people in Scotland, yet clinical assessments are often infrequent and subjective. PD-WATCH bridges this gap by enabling real-time, at-home monitoring of key symptoms using AI-powered analysis, supporting more accurate diagnoses and personalised treatment plans.

The device is being tested with NHS clinicians and patients in Tayside, including those living in rural areas where access to specialist care is limited. The team is working closely with Parkinson’s UK to ensure the technology is co-designed with patients and meets real-world needs.

This project aims to reduce hospital visits, support medication adjustments, and empower patients with better tools for managing their condition, ultimately helping to bring care closer to home.

Stay tuned for updates as clinical trials begin later this year.