North London is taking a major step forward in tackling dementia with the launch of two AI-enabled clinical apps aimed at transforming how cognitive decline is detected and managed. Supported through two NIHR i4i FAST Awards and driven by a collaboration between Punto Health, NHS memory services and UCLPartners, the new trials will evaluate PuntoTest and PuntoCare.
Dementia remains a complex and rapidly growing public health challenge, with nearly one million people living with the condition in the UK and numbers set to rise sharply in the coming decade. Yet early detection and post-diagnostic support have often lagged behind need, with fragmented pathways leaving patients, families and clinicians stretched. PuntoTest and PuntoCare are designed to change that by offering faster, scalable detection and personalised support that fits the realities of everyday life.
For too long, dementia care has been defined by late diagnosis and limited support afterwards. With PuntoTest and PuntoCare, our goal is to make earlier detection and ongoing support more accessible, scalable and integrated into NHS pathways. These studies are a key step in showing how digital tools can bring continuous, personalised cognitive care closer to patients and their families.
Anna Muñoz Farré, Co-Founder & CEO, Punto Health
UCLPartners has worked with Punto Health throughout the development of the programmes, including co-developing the successful NIHR bids and shaping the study design. They will lead the health economic evaluation and patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) activity across the programmes.
Our support has helped bring together clinicians, innovators and system leaders to tackle a challenge that matters deeply to communities across North London.
Arup Nath, Commercial Director, UCLPartners
This underscores the importance of partnership and rigorous evaluation to accelerate safe, meaningful innovation within the NHS.
The trials are being delivered in partnership with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, North London NHS Foundation Trust and UCLPartners, with engagement through Health Innovation Network South London. The research is led by Dr Latha Velayudhan alongside key clinical leads including Dr Reshad Malik, Dr Monica Crugel and Dr James Rogers. Together, the partners will evaluate how PuntoTest could support earlier and more appropriate referrals across primary care and memory service pathways. A multi-site feasibility study of PuntoCare in NHS memory services will assess usability, implementation and early health-economic impact to inform future NHS adoption.
We’re excited to trial innovative apps like PuntoCare to make dementia care more accessible, improve understanding for patients and carers, and explore new ways of tracking symptoms and supporting memory clinic reviews.
Dr Reshad Malik, Lead Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist for Enfield Memory Service
If effective, PuntoTest and PuntoCare could enable faster access to cognitive assessment, reduce pressure on memory services and provide more consistent support for patients and carers after diagnosis. They may also help bring greater consistency and equity to memory care pathways across communities.
At a time when dementia prevalence continues to rise and memory services face increasing demand, securing two NIHR FAST Awards for complementary innovations is a significant milestone. For UCLPartners, it reflects the power of partnership in bringing forward evidence-based, scalable solutions that respond to genuine system need.