Pioneering technology to revolutionise dementia care has been branded a success with dementia tracking slippers.

The slippers, which were commissioned by Dorset County Council has been designed to help dementia patients who had a tendency to wander.

The slipper, called SmartSole involves a Discreet non-invasive tracking tool that sits inside everyday footwear and can alert the carer if the person using them wanders outside a set parameter or distance.

Alerts were received over an app which runs on any internet enabled device and give the location of the wearer so they can be found quickly, reducing the chance for them to come to any harm.

Dorset County Council says the benefits to the wearer include increased independence, while carers receive additional peace of mind.

The project was discussed at an event at Royal Bournemouth Hospital yesterday to recognise the NHS’s up-coming 70th anniversary and to celebrate the launch of a £4 million fund by the UK Space Agency,

The fund is available for as many as four applications of technology originally designed for space that could improve NHS treatment with the slippers being noted as a successful piece of space technology that has already been adapted for NHS.

Louise Seaward, Dementia and Delirium Team Lead at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, said: "Someone is diagnosed with dementia somewhere in the UK every three minutes and researchers estimate approximately 75 million people will be living with dementia worldwide by 2030.

"That's why we must act now and find ways on how we can best support those living with it."

Emily Gravestock, UK Space Agency head of applications, added: “Britain’s world-leading space sector continues to grow and support vital public services like the NHS with innovative applications. We encourage all businesses and public bodies to consider the role that satellite data can play in tackling some of the biggest challenges we face, as part of the government’s Industrial Strategy.”

Ideas will be considered to help with what has been identified as the NHS’s chief challenges.

These include managing long-term conditions including joining up health and care services, earlier diagnosis of cancer, transforming GP services and other primary care, and meeting mental health needs.