It has already flagged one potentially cancerous lump
LEO365 can be used to perform an otoscope(Image: Davidsons Homes)
Leicestershire’s first-ever garden village is not just home to thousands of new properties, but also a new robot designed to ease the burden on the NHS and “bridge the gap” to services for residents.
The technology, which has already helped flag a potentially cancerous lump on one user, is being trialled at Broadnook Garden Village, a new community of nearly 2,000 houses set across 460 acres of land between Birstall and Rothley.
Developers say the robot, known as LEO360, will help residents access basic health checks, such as checking blood pressure, skin, and heart health, all while connecting remotely to a GP.
More than 200 residents and staff in Broadnook have taken up a free assessment with the robot – and eight have required further intervention from a GP or hospital as a result of the check from LEO360.
One consultation using the robot’s camera flagged a potentially cancerous lump for Paul Davies, health and safety advisor at Davidsons Homes.
The completed garden village will boast 1,950 homes as well as many amenties and much green space(Image: Supplied)
He said: “The doctor gave me a letter there and then, printed through the robot which I took to my GP. After another examination my GP confirmed that I did need to be referred to Leicester Royal Infirmary for specialist advice.
“Within days I was seen at the hospital and had an operation to remove the lump.
“Everyone’s lives are so busy these days and so I think the beauty of this robot assisted health check is that it literally brings a doctor to your doorstep.”
The trial is being run by Davidsons Homes alongside its agreement with Charnwood Borough Council to contribute to local infrastructure such as schools, transport or healthcare.
The agreements made when the developer applied for planning permission say they must provide plans for residents’ healthcare, with a GP surgery also set for the site in the next three years.
James Wilson, group managing director, said the robot could help “bridge the gap” between residents and Leicestershire’s NHS services.
He said: “Could this take some of the load for day to day minor things off the existing infrastructure?
“At our core, we believe in creating communities, not simply building homes.
“We are also involving local GPs and their teams to explore how this type of facility within housing communities could potentially support future local healthcare provision and the ambitions set out in the NHS ten-year plan.”
Bita Lyons, founder of Lyons Global, which developed the LEO360 technology, said: “The partnership with Davidsons Homes at Broadnook Garden Village in Leicestershire is such an exciting opportunity to explore how our LEO360 robotic and AI technology might play a part in health and wellness facilities within housing developments here in the UK in the future.”
Once complete, Broadnook, which boasts its own Hollywood-style sign, will comprise 1,950 homes, a primary school, retirement village, GP surgery, allotments and sports facilities.