Fighting Malnutrition with new Sensory Menu
Numenyu® is the UK’s first multisensory interactive menu from Sensmart Limited which combines visual, tactile, auditory and olfactory (or smell) which can help combat malnutrition and dehydration for people in hospitals or care homes.
Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria is collaborating with a range of specialised partners to develop and share this innovation.
HI NENC assisted Sensmart secure funding of £17,000 from the North of Tyne Combined Authority to carry at project at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. |
A multisensory food menu designed for hospitals and care homes has been developed by Aisha Purvis, founder of Newcastle start-up Sensmart. Numenyu® aims to tackle malnutrition and dehydration in patients by stimulating their senses and is the first of its kind in the UK.
Inspired by her experiences working in care homes and caring for her daughter with Rett Syndrome, Aisha designed the menu to empower patients to make choices. Numenyu® incorporates visual elements, textures, sounds, and even smells (like “chip shop” fish and chips) to cater to a wide range of users, including those with visual impairments or dementia.
Collaboration with regional partners has brought this idea to life. The National Centre for Ageing and Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is helping develop realistic food aromas, while the Internet of Caring Things® (IoCT™) is providing marketing and funding support.
HI NENC has assisted with market research, intellectual property protection and real-world evaluation of the innovation. Further, they more recently assisted Sensmart to secure funding of £17,000 from the North of Tyne Combined Authority to carry out an evaluation and pilot project at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Associate Director for HI NENC, Jody Nichols, appeared on BBC Morning Live to discuss the innovation with Dr Ranj Singh and explained how Numenyu® can make a huge difference to patients in the NHS.
This project exemplifies regional collaboration in innovation, with the innovator expressing her gratitude for the expertise each partner brings. With continued support, Numenyu® is poised to improve patient experience and dietary choices in healthcare settings.
“It’s been amazing getting all the different types of support from CPI, IoCT™ and the AHSN NENC. Each have different skill sets and expertise that as a start-up, I just don’t have in-house. They have all helped me to take my idea to a point where I am close to launching it. I can’t thank them enough for the expertise and guidance they have provided.”
Aisha Purvis, Sensmart
“We have been working closely with Aisha to test and develop her idea. She is a fantastic example of the home grown, innovative talent we have in our region and we will continue to support her as she grows her business.”
Jody Nichols, Associate Director at HI NENC