Innovation Events - Health Innovation South East Scotland

📅 Date and Time: Wednesday, 5th November 2025, 09:00 – 16:15

📍Location: Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh

Event Info:

The time for band-aid solutions across Scotland’s health is over. We need fundamental and transformative change to make our system sustainable and fitting for the future.

This is a pivotal moment for Scotland’s health and for the future of how the country’s healthcare is delivered and by whom. Central to that, necessary reform will be achieved through both prevention and the adoption of emerging technologies like AI. But transformation will only be achieved with the right people, with the right skills, in the right places, and with the desire to adopt and implement change at pace and scale.

Holyrood’s ‘Transforming Scotland’s Health’ summit will bring together Scotland’s leading health voices from the public and private sectors to share innovation, make connections and explore the practical steps that can be taken to inspire change and turn the tide.

Over the course of the day, sessions will:

Explore the potential to shift from treatment to prevention
Consider moving focus from hospitals to primary and community care
Discuss the move from an analogue way of working to a focus on digital innovation

The event will conclude with a high profile cross-party political panel which will include an audience Q&A.

📅 Date and Time: Monday, 10th November 2025, 10:00 – 16:00

📍Location: Online (MS Teams), In-person (Heriot-Watt University)

Event Info:

The MDMC is very pleased to announce the delivery of a new FREE workshop on The Complete Development of a Medical Device Technical File, using a birthing mirror as a practical case study.

Understanding the structure, content, and purpose of a medical device technical file is essential for anyone involved in the design, manufacture, or regulation of medical devices. A well-prepared technical file not only demonstrates compliance with regulatory requirements but also ensures that design, safety, and performance are fully traceable and justified.

The aim of this workshop is to provide a comprehensive overview of the complete development of a medical device technical file, from concept to compliance. Through interactive sessions and case-based discussions, participants will learn how to compile, structure, and manage the documentation needed to support conformity assessment under the UKCA and EU MDR frameworks.

This free workshop will be entirely delivered by Elaine Gemmell, Head of Regulatory Affairs InnoScot Health, and run in a hybrid form: online will be through Teams, while in-person will run at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS (room: EMG.61).

Please, when registering, specify the preferred form of attendance.

For people attending in person, a lab tour of MDMC facilities will also be provided at the end of the course.

📅 Date and Time: Thursday, 13th November 2025, 12:00 – 13:00

📍Location: Online

Event Info:

This event is designed to cut through the myths, share practical examples of AI in action, and explain what AI means for your role.

What to Expect

Expert insights from speakers with hands-on experience in health and social care.
Interactive Q&A – Submit your questions in advance and join the conversation at nes.dew@nhs.scot.
Practical takeaways.

Whether you’re exploring AI for the first time or already using it in your work, this session is designed to meet you where you are and guide you forward with clarity and assurance.

📅 Date and Time: Thursday, 13th November 2025, 18:00 – 23:00

📍Location: Grand Central Hotel, 99 Gordon Street, Glasgow

Event Info:

As the largest event in our calendar, the Technology Scotland Annual Dinner welcomes around 250 attendees from across all three of our networks for an evening of networking and celebrations, creating new connections and helping to solidify those already established.

This year will be a very special event as it celebrates ten years of Technology Scotland!

In celebration of Technology Scotland’s 10th Anniversary, we are pleased to introduce the inaugural Technology Scotland Awards at this year’s Annual Dinner. These awards are designed to recognise outstanding achievements within the enabling technology sector, highlighting individuals and organisations that are driving innovation, global impact, and collaboration across Scotland.

Categories

Technology Scotland Rising Star Award
Technology Scotland Excellence in Innovation Award
Technology Scotland International Reach Award
Technology Scotland Collaboration Award
Technology Scotland Special Recognition Award

The Technology Scotland Awards are open to any individual or organisation working or operating in the enabling technology sector in Scotland.

In addition to the 10th anniversary celebrations and awards, the annual dinner provides a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues old and new from across the sector, enjoy an evening of celebrations with your team, and recognise the great work happening across the Technology Scotland community.

📅 Date and Time: Tuesday, 18th November 2025, 14:00 – 16:00

📍Location: Online (MS Teams)

Event Info:

PPIE is the process where health and care research and products are developed with and by people with lived experience and the public. If done well, it can lead to outcomes that are more relevant, acceptable, equitable and fit for purpose. Rather than a one-off event or consultation, it should be embedded throughout your project or development and beyond.

Our workshop will introduce what best practice involvement looks like from the public participants’ perspective (e.g. co-design feedback loops). We will explore what PPI is and its potential benefits, and a detailed look at the lifecycle from defining who you want to work with, to dissemination and evaluation of your work and everything in between. Developed and delivered by the King’s Health Partners Digital Health Hub’s PPI group, this workshop will help you better understand the people you want to involve in your work, and how to work with them well.

The workshop will be suitable for anyone new to PPIE, however there is a focus on what best practice looks like from a public participant’s point of view which can be helpful even for those with more experience under their belt. We’ll also have an open discussion section at the end, so you will be able to raise any points or challenges that you’re interested in.

📅 Date and Time: Wednesday, 19th November 2025, 08:00 – 17:00

📍Location: Edinburgh International Conference Centre

Event Info:

Welcome to Scotland’s largest digital transformation summit for public sector policy and technology leaders.

Featuring over 70 speakers, 100 exhibitors and 1,200 delegates, Digital Scotland is the premier event for digital leaders and innovators dedicated to enhancing government services through technology.

In 2025, the conference will tap into the public tech zeitgeist – covering the latest from the global GovTech movement, digital ID, cloud services, payments, AI, IoT and Cybersecurity.

Digital Scotland is the meeting place where government ministers interact with technology upstarts and disruptors engaged and motivated by the goal of creating world-class digital experiences for citizens of the future. Be part of the conversation.

Learning objectives:

Understand the strategic direction for government digital policy and programmes.
Hear how GovTech leaders from across the UK ‘home nations’ are pursuing technology-led transformation of government services.
Experience best-in-class technology projects from across an array of public services, from healthcare to social services, local government, environment and justice
Learn playbook approaches to tech implementation from experienced public-sector technology leaders.
Attend industry masterclasses spanning user-centred design, data, AI, cloud, cybersecurity and IoT

📅 Date and Time: Thursday, 20th November 2025, 14:00 – 16:00

📍Location: Online

Event Info:

Have you ever considered how health economic analysis could add value to your project or increase the impact of your results? Join on Thursday, 20th November 12.00-13.00 GMT to hear Dr Ethna McFerran discuss health economics concepts and methods and how these can be applied in data research.

The webinar will cover:

Health economics core concepts (what is health economics? an overview of key evaluation types; real-world data relevance)
Using Health Economics in Health Data Research (Ethna will share examples of applying health economics in her own research)

By the end of the session participants will be able to:

Understand foundational concepts in health economics
Recognise how economic methods/analysis could add value to their research
Explore use cases for integrating economic analysis with health data
Reflect on how to apply economic thinking in their own research

Dr Ethna McFerran is Research Fellow in Cancer Health Economics, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast.

📅 Date and Time: Tuesday, 25th November 2025, 14:00 – 16:00

📍Location: Online

Event Info:

This online matchmaking session spotlights digital solutions that enable personalised, human-centred care at a distance; for example, remote diagnostics and monitoring, AI/machine learning supported care pathways, and tools that help manage chronic conditions.

This session includes a brief introduction about the UNITE call and an explanation of how matchmaking is facilitated to form project consortia. The central aim of this meeting is to form project consortia.

The main objective of this meeting is to give organisations the opportunity to connect and explore potential collaborations. Organisations will present project ideas for this call and look for partners to further develop them collaboratively within UNITE. The session ends with the opportunity for discussion and to connect needs and offers across the value chain. Companies, research groups, testbeds/living labs, and end users will meet potential partners and identify gaps to build or strengthen cross-regional consortia. We will share the profiles on our matchmaking site B2Match, live to make follow-up easy. Participants leave with concrete contacts and clear next steps towards submission.

📅 Date and Time: Wednesday, 26th November 2025, 14:00 – 16:00

📍Location: Online

Event Info:

This online matchmaking session focuses on data-driven innovation aligned with the European Health Data Space: interoperability, governance, secure data use, and privacy-preserving analytics. Themes include health-data integration and predictive analytics, digital therapeutics and mHealth, and the application of AI/Machine Learning to healthcare data.

This session includes a brief introduction about the UNITE call and an explanation of how matchmaking is facilitated to form project consortia. The central aim of this meeting is to form project consortia.

The main objective of this meeting is to give organisations the opportunity to connect and explore potential collaborations. Organisations will present project ideas for this call and look for partners to further develop them collaboratively within UNITE. The session ends with the opportunity for discussion and to connect needs and offers across the value chain. Companies, research groups, testbeds/living labs, and end users will meet potential partners and identify gaps to build or strengthen cross-regional consortia. We will share the profiles on our matchmaking site B2Match, live to make follow-up easy. Participants leave with concrete contacts and clear next steps towards submission.

📅 Date and Time: Thursday, 27th November 2025, 09:30 – 14:35

📍Location: BioQuarter, Edinburgh

Event Info:

Have you, or has someone you know, recently started in a clinical research job in Lothian?

ACCORD and Edinburgh CRF are holding a Welcome Day for those who have recently been appointed into a clinical research role in NHS Lothian or University of Edinburgh. Suitable for all roles including clinical research support staff, delivery teams, researchers and academics.

Objectives for the day include:

To introduce the research landscape in NHS Lothian and understand where and how individual roles fit within this;
To raise awareness of the support structures and resources available to those working in clinical research;
To network and engage with colleagues across the organisation;
To inspire and motivate individuals in their new role.

This event is free-of-charge to attend.

📅 Date and Time: Thursday, 27th November 2025, 08:00 – 16:45

📍Location: The Social Hub Glasgow, Glasgow

Event Info:

The Scotsman Life Science Conference 2025 brings together industry leaders, innovators, and researchers to discuss the most pressing topics and emerging trends in life sciences today. Set in the heart of Glasgow, this one-day conference will explore the intersection of AI, genomics, sustainability, and cutting-edge therapies that are transforming the landscape of healthcare and biotechnology.

What to Expect:

Panel Discussions on the latest developments in biotech start-ups, AI & big data in healthcare, and the integration of sustainability into life sciences innovations.
Interactive Sessions focusing on precision medicine, AI, and sustainable biotech practices.
Insights into Scotland’s biotech ecosystem, examining opportunities for collaboration and scaling within the local and global market.
Opportunities to connect with top professionals, investors, and decision-makers from the life sciences ecosystem, fostering collaboration and growth.

This conference is essential for anyone interested in the future of personalised medicine, biotech entrepreneurship, data-driven healthcare, and green innovation. Join us to stay at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.

📅 Date and Time: Friday, 28th November 2025, 13:00 – 14:00

📍Location: Online

Event Info:

In this webinar we look at ‘AI in Medicine: Promise and Paradox‘

Artificial Intelligence is transforming medicine, from diagnostics and drug discovery to personalised treatment and predictive analytics. But alongside its promise come some important challenges: Algorithmic bias, data privacy, accountability and the tension between human judgment and machine intelligence. This webinar brings together medical scientists and academic physicians to explore the realities behind the (potential) hyperbole. An expert faculty will examine how AI can responsibly be integrated into clinical and research practice, what ethical safeguards are essential and how medical professionals can shape the AI-driven future of healthcare.

Aimed at medical scientists, academic physicians, clinical researchers, bioinformaticians, healthcare administrators and postgraduate medical trainees interested in digital medicine.

Learning goals

Understand current and emerging applications of AI in medicine
Evaluate technical, ethical, clinical and regulatory challenges
Identify strategies for integrating AI tools responsibly in research and practice

Exploring the following questions

How can AI augment rather than replace clinical expertise?
What mechanisms can ensure reliability, transparency and fairness in AI algorithms?
How should accountability be assigned when AI-driven errors occur?
What data governance frameworks best protect patient privacy?
How can medical education adapt to prepare clinicians for AI-enabled care?

Programme

Personalized cardiac care through digital twins – Dr. Steven Niederer
Clinical applications of AI-enhanced electrocardiograms – Professor Fu Siong Ng
Yes, but are we ready? – Professor Alastair Denniston

📅 Date and Time: 3rd and 4th December 2025

📍Location: Online

Event Info:

Following the success of the Health and Care Analytics (HACA) conferences in 2023 and 2024, we are delighted to invite you to register for HACA 2025, a national celebration of the vital work of health and care analysts across the UK. The conference brings together analysts, leaders, and decision-makers to explore how high-quality analysis drives impactful decisions across systems. This year’s theme ‘Rising to the challenge: Analysis at the heart of health and care systems of the future’ recognises the growing role of analytics in shaping future-ready services, influencing policy, and enabling innovation across health and care.

The conference is free and open to anyone working in the NHS, local authorities, universities, civil service, and the third sector, particularly those in analytical, leadership, or strategic roles.

We’re excited to present a rich and varied programme, including:

Insightful plenary sessions
Learning events led by experienced practitioners
Poster presentations showcasing practical impact
Interactive workshops for peer exchange and skill-building

The conference offers a unique opportunity to:

Celebrate and promote high-quality analytical work
Discover innovative approaches to solving system challenges
Highlight the strategic value of analytical teams
Build networks and foster collaboration
“Steal with pride” from the best work around the country
Spark inspiration – before, during and after the conference!

📅 Date and Time: Friday, 5th December 2025, 09:00 – 16:30

📍Location: Malmaison Hotel, 44 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee DD1 4AY

Event Info:

SPaRC and the NHS Research Scotland Pain Specialty Group will host the 15th Annual Scientific Meeting on 5th December 2025 at Malmaison in Dundee. This will be an opportunity for meeting, sharing research, and identifying potential collaborations. You are invited to attend this meeting and to submit an abstract for presentation (oral or poster).

The objectives of the SPaRC Annual Scientific Meeting will be to:

Update SPaRC members on pain research
Share current and recent research between members of the Community (submitted abstracts, invited speakers and posters)
Identify the ways in which patients will benefit from the research
Identify and develop collaborations within the Community
Identify other possible activities within the Community

Guest speakers include:

Professor David Bennett, Oxford University
Brona Fullen, Associate Professor, University College Dublin

The registration for the event and the call for abstracts opens on Friday, 1st August. Abstracts are welcomed for both oral presentations and posters. The submission window will close on Monday, 6th October.

📅 Date and Time: Wednesday, 10th December 2025, 11:00 – 12:00

📍Location: Online

Event Info:

When most people hear ‘telecare,’ they think of a phone call or an emergency button – but today due to the migration to digital, it’s so much more. From the deployment of enhanced digital sensors to improved outcomes through better use of data, telecare is transforming the way we connect, care, and stay independent. In this webinar, you’ll discover why telecare in the digital age isn’t what you expect – and why that’s a good thing.

Featured Speakers:

David Brown, Business Relationship Manager, Digital Telecare, Digital Office
Colin McFadyen, Senior Programme Manager, Digital Telecare, Digital Office
Sam Leonard, Senior Project Manager, Digital Telecare, Digital Office

📅 Date and Time: Thursday, 11th December 2025, 08:15 – 16:30

📍Location: Technology & Innovation Centre, Glasgow

Event Info:

Hosted by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) and delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland, in association with Futurescot, this year’s DigiFest comes at a pivotal time for transformation in Scotland’s health and care services.

DigiFest 2025 will spotlight the national rollout of the Digital Front Door, a £27 million programme revolutionising access to care across Scotland—starting in NHS Lanarkshire. It will also showcase real-world projects like Digital Lifelines Scotland, which has already supported over 5,500 people with digital access, skills, and services.

Whether you work on the frontlines, in local or national policy, innovation, housing, care or academia, DigiFest is your opportunity to connect, share, and lead.

Key Themes for 2025:

Digital Front Door: Launching Scotland’s bold new digital gateway to care
Data-Driven Innovation: Predictive, preventative, personalised care
Integrated Care Pathways: Seamless support across health and social care
From Research to Real-World: Turning evidence into frontline impact
Future Digital Skills: Empowering tomorrow’s digital workforce

📅 Date and Time: Tuesday, 10th February 2026, 09:25 – 15:00

📍Location: Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh

Event Info:

Scotland’s leading Digital Health and Care Conference returns to Edinburgh on the 10th and 11th February 2026 for it’s 17th consecutive year, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever.
Across the two days, Scotland’s top political voices, health leaders and senior representatives from across the public and third sectors will come together to explore the journey from ambition to impact by collaborating and discussing the key challenges and opportunities facing the health and care sector through a packed agenda of panel sessions, masterclasses and keynote addresses.

📅 Date and Time: Wednesday, 27th May 2026

📍Location: James Watt Centre, Heriot-Watt University

Event Info:

Medical Device Manufacturing Centre is excited to announce the 5th Annual MDMC Conference will be taking place on Wednesday, 27th May 2026 at the James Watt Centre, Heriot-Watt University. Keep an eye on their LinkedIn page for more information in the coming months.

📅 Date and Time: Wednesday, 27th May 2026 & Thursday 28th May 2026

📍Location: Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh

Event Info:

DataFest 2026 returns on 27th–28th May at the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh. Tickets go on sale in October — join The Data Lab Community for exclusive early-bird access and be among the first to secure your spot at Scotland’s leading data and AI event.

Our Events

Upcoming Innovation Events

Transforming Scotland’s Health

Developing a Technical File for Medical Devices: A Complete Guide - New Workshop from the MDMC

AI Webinar Series: Beyond the Buzz

Technology Scotland Annual Dinner and Awards 2025

Free online workshop: Lifecycle of Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement (PPIE) in Digital Health

DigitalScotland 2025

Cross-Driver Health Economics Webinar

Digital Innovations Advancing Personalised Remote Care

Advancing the European Health Data Space

Lothian Clinical Research Welcome Day

Life Sciences Conference 2025

AI in Medicine: Promise and Paradox – Free Webinar

Health and Care Analytics Conference 2025

SPaRC NRS Pain 15th Annual Scientific Meeting

Pioneering Digital Telecare: Harnessing data and digital to unlock innovation

DigiFest Scotland 2025

Digital Health and Care Conference 2026

SAVE THE DATE - MDMC Conference 2026

DataFest 2026