An m-Health Innovation Centre is being established in Manchester, England, to act as a focus point for mobile health in the United Kingdom.

The University of Manchester is partnering on the initiative with the GSM Association, an group of mobile operators and related companies, to foster innovative mobile applications and services that promote healthier lifestyles and early intervention.

"A combination of mobile and healthcare can deliver tremendous benefits, such as cost savings for healthcare providers as well as convenience and improved quality of life for patients," said Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer of the GSMA. "We are delighted to be collaborating with the University of Manchester, a leading center for health informatics research, innovation and education, and whose deep expertise and focus makes them an ideal partner for our m-health collaboration."

The Manchester m-Health Innovation Centre will work on a variety of health and well-being projects including 'assisted living applications' that prompt patients to record the medication they are taking, their symptoms and their mood in real-time via their mobile phone.

"We very much value the opportunity to work with the GSMA to translate our innovative ideas into practice," said Dame Nancy Rothwell, deputy president and deputy vice chancellor of the University of Manchester. "Sustainable health and well-being represent a major challenge for society worldwide, and the transformational potential of mobile technology in promoting innovative citizen-led health initiatives provides exciting opportunities."

Other projects planned include virtual health kiosks for monitoring blood pressure, pulse, temperature and glucose levels. The kiosks will be linked to clinical and/or personal health record systems via mobile technology.

The m-Health Innovation Centre will also provide:

• a forum for collaboration and sharing ideas;
• in-depth analysis of the market for m-health;
• signposting key opportunities;
• pilot trials;
• the organizing of community-building events;
• m-health education and training;
• and online resources and one-to-one services to support the emerging m-health community,