February Newsletter

Maximising NHS Scotland’s End-to-End Innovation Resources to Improve Healthcare

NHS partner InnoScot Health is inviting you to enhance your healthcare innovation learnings with the second in its educational series of 2024 webinars. Samantha Smith-Garrett, Senior Innovation Programme Manager at NHS Lothian, and the Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES) Innovation Hub will be discussing the role of HISES, and how it is partnering with companies to provide test bed environments. Dr Allyson Bailey who has three roles within NHS Scotland – Research and Development Officer at NHS Forth Valley; Commercial Research Manager at NHS Fife; and Training Lead for the NHS R&D Forum – will meanwhile introduce governance and management in relation to clinical studies and ethics. This free to attend event will take place 12 – 1pm on Wednesday, 28th February 2024.

CSO announce successful completion of Phase 1 of the Reducing Drug Deaths Innovation Challenge

The Reducing Drug Deaths Innovation Challenge Phase 1, jointly funded by the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office and UK Government Office of Life Sciences has been successfully completed. The Challenge has been managed and administered by NHS Fife, on behalf of Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES) Innovation Hub. The successful completion of Phase 1 represents important progress in leveraging cross-nation and cross-sector collaboration and innovation to address the urgent public health impact of drug use and addiction across the United Kingdom. The Phase 1 participants will be invited to apply for the next phase of funding, where they can further validate and implement their solutions across the devolved nations. Phase 2 will allow for the development, testing and validation of a solution or prototype for up to 12 months.

Lunch & Learn: Research to Innovation

Join The University of St Andrew’s Entrepreneurship Centres for a Lunch and Learn session hosted by Dr Roger Flint. This session will focus on how to turn research into a tangible business opportunity. Dr Roger Flint MBChB attended St Andrews 2003-2007 and read Marine and Environmental Biology. Currently, he is in the final year of NHS General Practice speciality training in Scotland. This online event will take place Wednesday 27th March 1pm – 2pm and is free to attend.

Edinburgh University will establish two new AI research hubs funded by UK Government

The University of Edinburgh has secured a £24 million boost for AI innovation. The university will set up the AI Hub for Productive Research and Innovation in Electronics (APRIL) alongside the AI Hub for Causality in Healthcare AI with Real Data (CHAI). CHAI aims to develop AI that can empower decision making tools to improve challenging tasks such as the early prediction, diagnosis, and prevention of disease, and – crucially – to improve the safety of such technology in healthcare. Researchers hope to apply this new technology to tackle key societal health challenges such as understanding infection, Alzheimer’s, improving cancer treatments, social care, diabetes, and rehabilitation

Robots deployed in Paris hospital thanks to Scottish advanced artificial intelligence expertise

Robots have been deployed in a French hospital thanks to Scottish advanced artificial intelligence expertise. The ‘socially-assistive’ robots have been used to perform routine tasks and interact with elderly patients at the Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris. They were able to greet patients, answer questions and provide directions in three waves of experiments with volunteers at the healthcare facility. Experts from the National Robotarium at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt university took part in the ground-breaking study – which could enhance future healthcare delivery.

Scottish MedTech secures £4.2 million fund raise to speed up cancer drug development

A Scottish MedTech company which recreates ‘micro-tumours’ in the lab for testing new cancer treatments has secured £4.2 million to expand its technology. Edinburgh-founded Carcinotech will use the investment to target US markets later this year after gaining traction in the UK and Europe. The company, led by cancer specialist Ishani Malhotra, uses 3D printers to manufacture tumours out of cells derived from patient biopsy and blood samples – for testing purposes.

The novel approach simulates the tumour ‘microenvironment’ and can speed up the ethical drug screening and delivery of more effective cancer treatments to market.

NHS seeks 'Once for Scotland' digital diabetes prevention system

NHS National Services Scotland – the procurement and central services arm of the NHS in Scotland – is engaging with market suppliers through a prior information notice on developing a ‘once for Scotland’ digital diabetes solution.

Digital Health and Care Leadership Programme

Applications are now open for May 2024 led by NHS Education for Scotland. The Digital Health and Care Leadership Programme provides a chance to develop leadership skills and influence digital solutions in your workplace. Applications are welcome from employees within NHS Scotland, social care, social work, housing, charities and third sector organisations. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and there is no charge to participants. This programme is designed for anyone who is interested in digital health and care, is keen to explore how technology can benefit people and would like to develop their leadership skills.

The Digital Innovation Hub Launch

The DHI have recently launched The Digital Innovation Hub for Health and Care Transformation. This initiative marks a step forward in fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and shaping the future of health and care transformation. The hub serves as a collaborative space dedicated to knowledge exchange and innovation within the realm of digital health and care. With a mission to bring together professionals, experts, and enthusiasts in the field.

Innovate UK Smart grants: January 2024

The Innovate UK Smart grant supports SMEs and their partners develop the best game changing and world-leading innovative R&D projects. It offers funding where other opportunities are not available or appropriate, and where timing is key to ensure swift and successful commercialisation post-project completion. Funding is available to support single company research and development (R&D) projects in any sector for up to 18 months, or collaborative projects for 36 months. Scottish Enterprise Funding Information and support service can be contacted via innovateukedge@scotent.co.uk for help with your application.

Scottish Enterprise SMART: SCOTLAND grants

The SMART: SCOTLAND grant is a research and development grant for small and medium sized businesses that aims to support high risk, highly ambitious projects. It covers conducting feasibility studies to show ideas could work in the real world and supports activities that have a commercial endpoint. Scottish Enterprise can support up to 70% of the eligible costs for a small enterprise and up to 60% of the eligible costs for a medium enterprise. Studies must last between 6 and 18 months, and the maximum grant is £100,000.

Scotland's Healthy Ageing Innovation Cluster Event LIVESTREAM Invitation

For those who couldn’t secure tickets or are unable to attend Scotland’s Healthy Ageing Innovation Cluster Event in person, the DHI will be live-streaming the morning presentations via Microsoft Teams 1000-1200 on Monday 26th February 2024. The aim of the day is to bring our respective networks together, to learn what we are doing currently on healthy ageing and how we can work together going forward. We are especially keen to showcase practitioners in health and social care. Join the livestream and learn about systems thinking and participate in co – design.

Data for Children Collaborative Challenge Question Launch

Data for Children Collaborative is delighted to partner with The Promise Scotland to launch a new Challenge Question – What actions can we take to overcome the information and data sharing barriers relating to care experienced children in Scotland? The deadline for an Expression of Interest to be part of the project design and development process is 23rd February 2024. This project aims to promote a lasting positive change by creating a time-bound plan based on concrete actions to drive organisational change and instigate a cultural shift in data sharing across public sector agencies in Scotland.

NIHR & OLS Real World Evidence Programme Call

On 31st January, the NIHR i4i Programme, in collaboration with the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), invites applications to the Real-World Evidence Programme. The Real-World Evidence Programme is being led by OLS as part of the UK Government’s Life Sciences Vision and is backed by £10m of government funding. The aim of the call is to address the evidence gap required for widespread adoption of technologies that have received a recommendation for early use in the NHS from NICE Early Value Assessment (EVA), as well as developing guidance to support innovators to generate quality real world evidence that NICE and commissioners require for adoption and roll-out. Deadline for applications is 1pm on 27th March 2024.

Horizon Europe Pump Priming Collaboration between UK and EU Partners 2024

The British Academy with the support of the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Royal Academy of Engineering are inviting proposals from UK and EU/Associated Countries-based researchers to pump prime collaborations to support the effective uptake of the opportunities provided by the UK’s association to Horizon Europe. Funding may be used to support costs for concept or proof of market work and proposal development, costs of meetings, travel and subsistence, research/clerical assistance (based in the UK or internationally), due diligence work on partners, costs towards child or parent care, and contributions towards support services such as proposal writing. Deadline for proposals is 5pm on Wednesday, 21st February 2024.

Secure your FREE place at Digital Health and Care Scotland 2024

Holyrood’s annual Digital Health and Care Scotland conference is returning to Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh on 21-22 February 2024. The event will bring together health, social care and housing professionals from across Scotland to look at how innovative digital solutions are being used to help alleviate pressure on the system by improving service delivery and demand management. The annual Digital Health and Care Awards are now closed for entries! Taking place on the night of 21st February 2024, the Awards recognise the achievements of the individuals and teams working in the health, social care, and housing sectors whose innovation and creativity have put Scotland at the forefront of the digital revolution.

Secure your FREE place at Public Sector Data Summit 2024

Holyrood Connect’s annual Public Sector Data Summit will return to Edinburgh on 20th March 2024. The use of data in digital technologies within the public sector has skyrocketed in recent years. It is crucial that we understand how to maximise its potential to help us make informed decisions and deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers. Through a variety of session formats, including keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive masterclasses, the event will provide real-life examples of data use within the public sector for you to learn from.

Secure your FREE place at Public Sector Digital Transformation 2024

Holyrood Connect’s 11th annual flagship Digital Transformation event for the Scottish Public Sector will be returning on 11th June 2024, at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. The trend of digital transformation shows no sign of slowing as more and more organisations across Scotland shift their systems to digital.

During the event, you will hear from senior government speakers and thought leaders within the public sector to learn about the progress of the Digital Strategy for Scotland. You will also hear engaging discussions surrounding the shifting landscape of public sector organisations and the foundations needed for a successful digital transition.

Futurescot's Cloud, Data & AI - Transforming Public Services Conference 2024

Futurescot’s Cloud, Data & AI – Transforming Public Services Conference, the premier event for public sector officials seeking to revolutionise their services through technology and innovation will take place on 21st March 2024. This conference serves as the pivotal meeting point between government and technology providers, offering invaluable insights into harnessing the potential of cloud, data and AI to modernise public services. Attendees will gain global thought leadership on leveraging these technologies for increased agility, responsiveness, and intelligence in government services. The event also focuses on turning data into a valuable organisational asset, exploring sustainable cloud deployment options, and navigating the ethical and inclusive integration of AI.

Futurescot's Health & Care Transformation Conference 2024

Health & Care Transformation is the essential annual conference taking place on 16th April 2024 which is dedicated to charting the path towards the recovery and rejuvenation of the NHS. This event serves as a nexus for bringing together the ‘triple helix’ of government, industry, and academia to harness the full potential of technology and innovation. By leveraging these tools, the conference aims to alleviate the pressures on the system, shifting from a reactive to a proactive era of care. Key themes include fostering seamless data flow across healthcare sectors, empowering startups within the NHS and social care, and facilitating transformative change.

Latest funding opportunities

Check out all the latest health and care funding opportunities from across the sector on the funding section of our website.