The UK's National Heath Service has put a call out to find and fund "innovators who can support the elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating" during the coronavirus outbreak. 

Named TechForce19, the competition has been launched by NHSX – the technology development department of the National Heath Service (NHS).

The competition is looking for technology-based solutions to support communities looking after isolated and vulnerable people during the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak. As many as 20 entrants will receive £25,000 from the government to develop their proposal.

Funding of £25,000 available to 20 innovators

"NHSX is calling on all innovators who can support the elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating during Covid-19 to apply for government funding of up to £25,000 to test their solution," explained NHSX.

"We believe new technologies can help support the vulnerable, elderly and self-isolating as COVID-19 continues to spread."

TechForce19 is specifically looking for solutions in three areas: improving organisation and access to social care in remote locations; improving staffing organisation for volunteer and professional and in the area of metal health.

The competition is not looking for solutions to clinical problems relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

Applications, which will be judged on feasibility, credibility, impact and digital maturity, will be open until 1 April.

Over one million vulnerable people in UK advised to stay home

The coronavirus has infected over 9,500 people in the UK and has caused the deaths of over 450 people. It has put a huge strain on the health service in the country.

In response to the escalating pandemic the UK government has placed large parts of there country on lockdown. It has advised around 1.5 million people who are over 70 or vulnerable to remain at home for the next 12 weeks.

The competition responds to the fact that these people could become isolated during the lockdown.

Across the UK restaurants pubs, theatres, cafes and numerous other business have been forced to close, while numerous other in non-essential jobs are working from home.

Designers are responding to the coronavirus in numerous ways. Experience designer Bompas & Parr has launched a design competition to rethink hand sanitisers, while the Global Grad Show has launched a competition for designs that address critical issues resulting from the coronavirus outbreak.

Numerous graphic designers have created illustrations to advice people on how to slow virus, while cartoonist Toby Morris and microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles created a serious of animated illustrations to show the importance of social distancing.

Follow all our coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here.

Main image by Sabine van Erp from Pixabay.