May 2025 Newsletter

Innovation Action Plan unveiled for Edinburgh and South East Scotland

Developed collaboratively by Innovate UK, Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region, and Scottish Enterprise, the plan aims to build a strong, resilient, and investment-attractive economy by leveraging regional strengths and capabilities. It was launched at the University of Edinburgh’s Futures Institute at an event attended by business leaders from across the region.

The plan outlines a series of commitments to streamline innovation support, amplify regional assets, attract inward investment, and address innovation skills gaps. The document has identified key areas with high innovation potential, helping to position Edinburgh and South East Scotland as leaders in advanced manufacturing, life sciences and financial services.  One of the City Region’s initial focus priority innovation clusters will be on Health cluster in Edinburgh’s BioQuarter.

Frailty care enters a bold new era of innovation and proactivity

Last month, Health Secretary Neil Gray pledged that the national rollout of specialist frailty services across all 30 of Scotland’s A&E departments would reduce the length of hospital stays and eventually lower waiting lists. A digital falls prevention platform built out of research lead by Dr Ana Talbot and developed with funding from The Health Foundation recently moved into a third phase of assessing the technology’s effectiveness, with national rollout expected.

The ‘No Need To Fall’ project has been co-designed by those with lived experience of falls and the healthcare staff who support them. The trial explores how technology can be used to address and improve people’s daily care and support needs, as well as shaping the response to any incidents which may occur. The latest phase is expected to conclude at the end of this year.

New startup scheme aims to bring AI tech to healthcare in Scotland

A new startup scheme aims to bring AI tech to healthcare in Scotland – by building a bridge between university postgraduates and the NHS. ‘AI Discovery’ will help postgraduates harness the latest AI technologies and build AI-enabled startups that can address some of the greatest challenges faced by the NHS.

Delivered by CodeBase via the Scottish Government’s £42 million Techscaler programme – in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, and NHS Scotland – the initiative will concentrate on so-called ‘deeptech’. Deeptech, unlike conventional software startups, focuses on converting cutting-edge scientific research into real-world digital services and products.

Scottish Government confirms £12 million investment in ‘health and social care app’ and national rollout timetable

The Scottish Government has confirmed that £12 million will be invested in a ‘health and social care app’ that will be introduced in its initial form at the end of this year.

Ministers announced that there will be a published national rollout timetable for a ‘personalised digital health and social care service’ – previously referred to as the ‘digital front door’ – ahead of the next Holyrood election in May 2026. The app will be released ‘progressively’ across the country, officials said. The new Programme for Government was unveiled ahead of the usual September timetable and contained a raft of digital health-focused measures.

Creators of game-changing innovation for newborns named finalists for prestigious award

Judges believe a ground-breaking midwife duo have ‘inspired excellence’ after naming them finalists for a prestigious innovation award. Last year, Midwife Stacey Boyle, and Senior Charge Midwife Marianne Hay from NHS Lothian, proudly unveiled their pioneering theatre scrubs, allowing immediate skin-to-skin contact for babies delivered by Caesarean Section.

Judges of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland Awards have now singled out the NHS Lothian pair for their ingenuity in creating the efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable Cozy Cuddle Scrubs (by Stacey)™. Marianne and Stacey have been named one of three finalists in the ‘Inspiring Excellence – Nursing Innovation and Research Award’ category which spotlights “innovative practice and clinical research leading to positive change for patients, service users and colleagues”.

Building Sustainable Futures Together - Innovation Centre Roadshow

Come and meet the four national innovation centres in Scotland and join for the second of four exciting regional Innovation Centres Roadshows! This event, hosted at Forth Valley College in Falkirk, will take place on Friday 6^th June 2025 9am – 2:30pm.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, researcher, student, academic or industry professional, this event is your opportunity to connect with Scotland’s Innovation Centres and explore how to work together to build a sustainable future.

New Future Flight Competitions now open!

Innovate UK, in partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT), has launched two exciting funding competitions to accelerate the UK’s journey towards commercial, zero-emission aviation and advanced drone operations. The competitions are now open, and they close on 11^th June 2025.

Weight Management Pathway Design Accelerator – Closing soon!

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation will invest up to £3 million in a design accelerator. The aim of this competition is to enable NHS organisations to speed up the development of novel community-based patient access models that are safe, effective and resource efficient. This will open the possibility that new obesity treatment options could be accessed by eligible patients through the NHS in anticipation of the release of additional funding for the implementation of new pathways.

This design accelerator will enable eligible NHS organisations to mobilise and meet a high-level policy objective for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The competition closes on 28^th May 2025 at 11:00am.

Key DataLoch Enhancements

The latest major development sees the launch of the DataLoch Heart Disease Registry to substantially advance their support for cardiovascular research. This offering sits alongside the DataLoch Respiratory, Cancer, and COVID registries in pre-defining critical data for research.

Other data improvements include new hospital prescribing data, and a simplified approach to select laboratory-testing data. The DataLoch are also delighted to present their refreshed website, which includes new Case Study and Publication sections that highlight just some of the benefits of the DataLoch service, as well as celebrate Programme Lead, Kathy Harrison, being recognised through a Digital Leader Award.

University of Edinburgh AI Enhanced Accelerator Programme – Applications Open!

An initiative which helps innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI)-focused scaleup companies to maximise their full commercial potential is now open for 2025 applications. The 6-month programme, delivered by the University of Edinburgh, will widen its selection process this year, to encourage a broader range of scaleups from tech-focused companies to benefit from a package of support aimed at helping transform their businesses into world-leading companies.

The AI Accelerator has a strong track record of supporting innovative businesses. The deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 19^th May 2025.

Accurx launch AI scribing tool for use across the NHS

Accurx has partnered with Tandem Health, a European health tech company, to launch an AI scribe tool for use across the NHS. The tool supports transcribing, summarising, and coding of patient consultations into the clinical record, with the ability to write back to EMIS and SystmOne. It is said to provide capabilities to generate referral letters, advice and guidance requests, and draft appointment summaries and follow-up messages that clinicians can send directly to patients or other care providers.

Other features highlighted on the Accurx website include the ability to utilise templates to create documents to suit a range of styles. NHS England has issued guidance on the use of AI-enabled ambient scribing products in health and care settings.

Industry Engagement Workshop: Digital Innovation in Social Care

The DHI Care and Well Being Portfolio, in collaboration with the Healthy Ageing Innovation Cluster, is hosting an online interactive workshop on 17th June 2025 to engage with industry organisations on key priorities for innovation in social care in Scotland and opportunities for adoption and scale up.

The workshop will set out emerging proposals for how digital innovation in social care can be supported and developed, and how it can leverage research and innovation opportunities. DHI are keen to hear about products and developments relevant to social care that are underway, along with the experience of scale-up and barriers to be addressed.

Futurescot AI Challenge 2025 competition now open!

We are delighted to announce that the second annual AI Challenge for Scottish public sector organisations are now open! The Futurescot AI Challenge 2025 is a competition to bring together Scottish public sector organisations to solve problems through the use of Artificial Intelligence. The challenge offers multiple benefits for participants:

• Gain insight into the application of AI.
• Explore and accelerate AI use cases with no financial and minimal resource commitment.
• Shortlisted organisations will receive an in-person workshop and proof of concept to bring their idea to life. As well as a chance to show their idea at the biggest yearly public sector digital transformation event in Scotland.

Applications close on 22^nd August 2025.

Edinburgh BioQuarter reveals £1 billion vision for expansion

Edinburgh BioQuarter has released the first images of a £1 billion planned transformation which will create a new vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood, supporting a community of more than 20,000 people.

With ambitions to accelerate the development of BioQuarter and create Edinburgh’s Health Innovation District, the long-term vision for the site now includes plans for residential housing. There will be more space for research and healthcare innovation, commercial use, hotel, gym, retail, and leisure.

AI will shape the future of Scottish Healthcare

A new report has been published by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH) that sheds light on the transformative potential AI could have on Scotland’s public health and healthcare systems. The GCPH report, The Potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Public Health and Healthcare Systems in Scotland, explores AI’s rapidly evolving role in the health sector, and how the emerging tech can be used to shape the future of healthcare in Scotland.

The study considers AI’s capacity to aid clinical practice and decision-making, analyse vast amounts of complex population health data, improve healthcare efficiency, and personalise patient care, all within the context of the Scottish healthcare system.

Future-Proofing NHS Scotland’s Access without new funding

When it comes to digital transformation in healthcare, comparison between NHS England and NHS Scotland reveals an important truth: national funding frameworks can help, but they are not the only route to progress. With the right local partnerships and smart, sustainable technology adoption, Scotland can continue to lead improvements in patient experience – despite the current funding challenges.

Phones remain the top way patients access their GP practices, with NHS figures showing 68% of patients prefer this method over online alternatives. This reality is often overlooked when discussions about ‘digital front doors’ focus heavily on websites and apps.

NHS Lothian Futures Symposium

The NHS Lothian Medical Education Directorate is hosting the NHS Lothian Futures Symposium on 19^th May 2025 at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. This event aims to share learning and celebrate success through healthcare innovation, sustainability, and improvement.

Attendees will explore new strategies to drive excellence in patient care as part of a sustainable healthcare system. The symposium offers a platform for healthcare professionals to connect, share ideas, and explore the future of healthcare in Lothian.

Health Tech Innovation with West of Scotland Innovation Hub at Glasgow Tech Week

Taking place at the state-of-the-art Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE), organisers say the Innovation Hub event on Tuesday 27^th May 2025 will offer “a unique opportunity for professionals from all corners of the MedTech ecosystem to engage, learn, and collaborate”.

Across a day of cutting-edge activity and learnings — including looking at how artificial intelligence (AI), point of care testing, and patient and public involvement (PPI) are reshaping healthcare delivery — attendees are invited to “explore how West of Scotland Innovation Hub supports product development, evidence generation, and evaluation to drive healthcare breakthroughs”.

Medical Informatics Europe 2025

The Medical Informatics Europe (MIE) 2025 conference has been organised by  national members and  European Federation for Medical Informatics (EFMI) with up to more than 1000 participants.

The conference theme is Intelligent health systems – From technology to data and knowledge. The conference will take place in Technology & Innovation Centre of University of Strathclyde, Glasgow from 19^th – 21^st May 2025.

Scottish Horizon Europe – EIE event alert

Join us on Thursday, 22^nd May 2025 from 1 – 3:30pm for this important information session in advance of the 2025 Horizon Europe calls opening.  It is the only session scheduled across the UK that will specifically be focused on the EIE calls.

According to the latest stats, Scotland/UK is big recipient of Horizon Europe funds under the EIE Work Programme; this information session will help put Scottish stakeholders in the best position to maximise from the forthcoming round of EIE calls. The EIE WP falls under the Innovative Europe (Pillar 3) funding strand of the Horizon Europe funding programme.

UNITE Digital Health Scottish SME Workshop

Scottish Enterprise’s Life Sciences (Human Health) Team & Digital Economy Team would like to invite Scottish SMEs to its UNITE Digital Health SME event on 2^nd June 2025 from 10am – 2pm at its Edinburgh office, Apex House. The event will give Scottish companies a chance to develop connections and become part of new value chains and collaborations. It’ll also provide further information on how to access funding support.

Health is a £17m project, co-funded by the European Horizon program and led by EIT Digital which seeks to drive digital health innovation, alleviate pressures on the health system and meet the health & care needs of populations across Europe. It is a pan-European initiative connects Scotland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, and Greece to tackle health and care challenges through deep-tech innovation, allocating over £1m for Scottish companies over four years to develop innovative digital health solutions.

The Academy of Medical Sciences Scottish Cross-Sector Hub Event 2

The Academy of Medical Sciences Scotland Cross-Sector Hub aims to encourage and enhance collaboration across disciplines and sectors to benefit health and life sciences research and innovation. This event will take place on 4^th June 2025 from 10am – 2:30pm at the COSLA Conference Centre in Edinburgh.

The focus will be on research and innovation in Precision Medicine and Precision Population Health, an area in which Scotland is internationally renowned. Precision Medicine and Precision Population Health research and innovation in Scotland benefits significantly from the wide array of multi-disciplinary knowledge, expertise and infrastructure provided by our NHS, Universities and industry working together proactively (Triple-Helix).

This includes, life scientists, health professionals, engineers, regulators, policy makers, investors, patients, and the public.

Book Your Virtual Place Now NHS Scotland Event 2025

This year’s hybrid NHS Scotland Event will take place on Monday 9^th June at the Technology & Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

Please note that all in-person places are now fully booked.  However, there is still capacity to register as an on-line delegate and attend via our virtual platform.

There is a waiting list in place for in-person attendance that will be active up until a week before the Event takes place. This year’s Event programme will focus on delivering, sustaining and renewing the NHS in Scotland. Key themes include access to care, innovation, prevention, productivity, and collaboration.

MDMC Annual 4th Conference 2025

Join the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre’s (MDMC) Annual Conference on 28^th May 2025. This exclusive event brings together top professionals from the industry, NHS, and academia to discuss the groundbreaking services shaping the life sciences and healthcare sectors.

Gain valuable insights into NHS and Scottish government initiatives, explore the innovative offerings at MDMC, and stay up to date with the latest advancements from leading industry experts. Whether you’re looking for the latest MedTech developments or strategies to grow your business, this is an unmissable opportunity to connect with professionals, companies, and stakeholders in Scotland’s dynamic life sciences and healthcare community.

Attendees will also have the chance to take part in lab tours, showcasing state-of-the-art equipment in large analytical facilities and cutting-edge research laboratories at MDMC.

Free webinar set to bring green innovation to life in drive for net zero healthcare

A free to join webinar taking place this month will spotlight vital sustainable innovation while inspiring NHS Scotland staff in the drive to meet net zero ambitions with fresh ideas.

Hosting the educational session on Thursday 29^th May – entitled ‘A net zero tomorrow: innovating for a more sustainable NHS’ – formal health service partner InnoScot Health believes it is a key opportunity for the workforce to learn from some of the country’s leading green pioneers.

The ‘lunch and learn’ webinar from 12.00-12.45 will be presented by Innovation Commercialisation Manager Fiona Schaefer, who will be joined by guest speakers from Design HOPES (Healthy Organisations in a Place-based Ecosystem, Scotland) which is “supporting a green and just transition for NHS Scotland”.

Public Sector Digital Transformation 2025

Holyrood Connect’s annual Public Sector Digital Transformation event will return to Edinburgh on 12^th June 2025, to delve into Scotland’s strategic direction of travel and how the digital landscape has evolved in recent years. Join us for a day packed with networking, interactive panel discussions and masterclasses and learn about:

• The future of Scotland’s public services
• Modernising IT to enhance the citizen experience
• Real-life examples of public sector digital transformation
• The importance of AI, regulation, and transparency

AI & Cloud Innovation Summit 2025

Holyrood Connect’s revamped AI & Cloud Innovation Summit is back! Join us on 11^th September 2025 at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh to explore the future of digital public services in Scotland. As AI reshapes the way government operates and cloud technologies drive efficiency and security, this summit will bring together experts, policymakers, and public sector technology professionals to discuss the opportunities, challenges, and strategies for harnessing AI and cloud technology. This event is designed for public sector professionals involved in technology, digital transformation, IT infrastructure, data management, and AI implementation.

HDR UK Conference 2025 – Registration open!

Delegate registration is now open for the HDR UK Conference 2025 – the UK’s No.1 conference on health data science! Details of the keynote speakers, abstract submission and registration can be found on the website.

The 2-day hybrid conference will take place across 15^th and 16^th October 2025 at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Exhibition Way, Glasgow. The event will celebrate progress and bring people together to accelerate the trustworthy use of health data for public benefit.

This is an event dedicated to celebrating how health data science can improve people’s lives. With leading exhibitors and a variety of networking events, this is an event to add to your calendar!