October 2024 Newsletter

NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme – Applications open!

Are you a Scottish healthcare worker interested in innovation? The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) is once again open to Scottish innovators and welcoming applications for cohort 9 from 1st – 29th October 2024, with the programme starting on 5th March 2025. Budding entrepreneurs from Scotland are invited to apply for this ground-breaking programme that is helping bring innovations into the NHS to improve patient care. This year long programme is free and open to all the NHS Scotland workforce. It provides learning, opportunities, and experiences through which entrepreneurs develop the commercial skills and knowledge to accelerate their innovations that will, in turn, help transform patient care, as well as providing them with the entrepreneurial knowledge and experience that will help them in their day jobs.

British Heart Foundation Healthcare Innovation Fund Round 3 – Closing soon!

Through the Healthcare Innovation Fund, The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is seeking to test and evaluate innovative approaches to the delivery of improved services for patients with cardiovascular disease. Round 3 closes on Monday 4th November 2024 at midday.

Previous calls have sought applications on ideas which:

• Identified an unmet need that required further scoping and consensus building around need and potential solutions.
• Had been scoped by an appropriate group of stakeholders and were ready to be tested and evaluated in practice.
• Had been tested locally by an appropriate group of stakeholders and were ready for early stage of scaling.

Applications must be supported by an NHS Regional Innovation Hub.

NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Product Development Awards Call 29 Stage 1 – Applications Open!

The i4i Product Development Awards (PDA) supports collaborative research and development of medical devices, in vitro diagnostic devices, and high-impact patient-focused digital health technologies for use in the NHS or social care systems. PDA are researcher-led and support early product development and real-world evaluation. The expected focus of a project funded by PDA is one or more of the following:

• Product development required to enable technologies for clinical use or use in social care
• Clinical development of a laboratory-validated technology
• Real-world evaluations to accelerate the development and uptake of innovative products, which already have demonstrated safety and efficacy

Projects must have demonstrated proof-of-concept as a minimum, which is generally described as TRL3. The deadline for this call is on Thursday 5th December 2024 (13:00 BST). 

Free webinar shares ‘spinout success stories’ and the vital support required to get there

NHS Scotland partner InnoScot Health will be showcasing ‘spinout success stories’ later this month, including vital knowledge and insights required to establish a new business.

Healthcare innovators are invited to join the next in the organisation’s ongoing series of educational, free to join webinars, taking place on Wednesday 30th October 2024, from 12.00 – 12.45. Entitled Spinout Success Stories: Translating innovative ideas into attractive commercial propositions, it will include experienced guest speakers offering useful insights on making that vital transition. The session will be a great opportunity for forward-thinkers to understand more about how ideas originating within our NHS can result in the formation of new companies, providing opportunities to create jobs, attract investment, transform lives, and showcase Scotland as a truly entrepreneurial nation.

New short course on Safe Data Access

Registration is open for Safe Data Access: Working in Trusted Research Environments (TREs), a free, online short course designed for those handling data in research settings. This course aims to ensure that users of secure, sensitive data understand the robust standards that are in place and why before being granted access. It covers governance and standards for accessing sensitive health and social care data within TREs. This self-directed course is funded by HDR UK and has been designed and developed by the University of Edinburgh, Usher Institute in collaboration with HDR UK | University of Edinburgh  Usher Institute | DDI | DataLoch | EIDF | epcc | UK Health Data Research Alliance | Public Health Scotland | UK Research and Innovation | ADRUK

CivTech Round 11

CivTech Round 10 Challenge received the highest number of applications since it was launched in 2016. If you weren’t successful this round, don’t worry – you can still apply for the next cohort! CivTech have already have a lot of interest from organisations with Challenges for CivTech Round 11, but if you are a Public or Third Sector organisation with a problem you want to solve, there is time to get involved so please email civtech@gov.scot You can also join one of the ‘Become a Challenge Sponsor’ sessions in the coming months, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the CivTech model, hear first-hand from former Challenge Sponsors about their experiences, and how they successfully developed solutions through the CivTech Accelerator. Additionally, you’ll discover the significant impact these products have had on their organisations, including cost savings and improved efficiency. Reserve a spot of one of the sessions via the following link.

NHS Lothian Long Covid digital pathway nominated for Scottish Health Award

A digital pathway for Long Covid has been shortlisted for the Integrated Care Award at the 2024 Scottish Health Awards. The pathway, created in a collaboration between Pogo Digital Healthcare, NHS Lothian, and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, is the first of its kind to connect the public, private and third sectors. The pathway uses the digital platform Tailored Talks to provide personalised information and support to people in Lothian living with Long Covid, as well as providing access to the Chest heart and Stroke Scotland Advice Line. The team is delighted to be nominated and are looking forward to the big night!

Project CAELUS Case Study by Airports International

In the month of August, NHS laboratory specimens were delivered by drone for first time in Scotland during live flight trials between the Edinburgh BioQuarter next to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Borders General Hospital in Melrose. Airports International have released a well-informed case study on Project CAELUS.

DigitalScotland 2024 Conference Launch – Registration open!

Registration for DigitalScotland 2024 is officially open which will take place on 26th November 2024, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. DigitalScotland 2024 is the leading forum to hear about how digital and data are transforming the way our public services operate and fulfil their mission to be modern, responsive, and designed around the needs of citizens.

Designed to bring together digital and data professionals from across the public sector, the full-day event is a must-attend and features a fantastic line-up of 50+ speakers, 50+ industry partners and 1,200+ attendees to explore the latest trends, share insights and showcase innovative solutions to the challenges facing Scotland’s citizens.

Announcing Public Sector Data Summit 2025

Holyrood Connect’s annual Public Sector Data Summit is returning to Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh for another year! Join us on 13th March 2025 to hear about the latest developments in data and AI, and learn how to maximise their potential. Through a variety of session formats, including keynote addresses, interactive panel discussions and masterclasses, you will hear valuable insights on making the most of your data, how to store it securely, and how to address concerns around AI and ethics.

Holyrood Digital Health and Care Scotland Conference 2025

Holyrood’s flagship Digital Health and Care Conference returns to Dynamic Earth on 18th and 19th February 2025. Bringing together representatives from across the public and third sectors with those working in industry, Holyrood’s annual Digital Health and Care conference will consider the latest policy developments and technological advancements. Through a range of panel sessions, masterclasses and keynote addresses, delegates will have the opportunity to engage in discussions around remote monitoring, e-prescribing, AI and cyber security. It provides a platform to collaborate and share learnings as we look to drive innovation and speed up implementation of technology within the health and social care space.

Holyrood Annual Digital Health and Care Awards 2025 – Nominations Open!

As well as the Digital Health and Care Conference, Holyrood will be hosting the Digital Health and Care Awards on 18th February 2025. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those working within the digital health, care, and housing sectors, so if you know of any inspiring individuals or organisations, nominate now!

The awards categories for 2025 are as follows:

• Data Driven Innovation Award
• Technology Enabled Independent Living Award
• Industry Collaboration Award
• Digital Health and Care Team Award
• Digital Inclusion Award
• Digital Service Transformation Award
• Digital Leader Award

Nominations will close on Monday 6th January 2025 at 23.59 and the shortlist will be announced on Monday 20 January 2025.