Because health-care is a person to person process, involvement of the real users in the process is fundamental. Health-Lab has set up several “Living Labs”, where real users test out solutions in their daily life and help designers and developers to improve their solutions. These users are the elderly, but also the professionals and informal carers.

To support and stimulate Digital Health developments in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area  the project is set up around three pillars:·Creating a platform where all those involved can meet, discuss and share developments in and implementation of new solutions in care.·Support and stimulate the set-up of several living lab locations where new solutions can be tested and improved, together with users.·The creation of new curricula focusing on the implementation of these solutions in educational settings.

Therefore, innovation in care needs the cooperation of many different organizations. Companies are needed to produce technologies and service the market. Education institutions need to incorporate the use of technology in their curricula. Care institutions will have to adapt to new possibilities; this often leads to a hybrid care between care in private homes and care in institutions. Government will have to play their role in terms of regulations and stimulation. This is why Health-Lab is a cooperation of the care institutions in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, the local universities, the government and several companies. Check www.health-lab.nl for more information.