A new InnoScot Health website has been fully unveiled at the NHS Scotland event in Aberdeen this week – as the organisation strengthens its support for NHS-led innovation.

Established in 2002, the organisation seeks to encourage new ideas from health and social care staff – with issues such as new ways of working, climate change, and the challenges each present to our health system central to the platform’s goals.

The new look branding, website and social channels also aim to drive enhanced engagement with healthcare professionals across Scotland.

The first phase of the new site is designed to allow healthcare staff to share their ideas for improving and transforming healthcare – and to receive feedback on them more quickly and easily than before.

As part of the educational strategy of the new site, the content has been split into three main groups, spanning Ideas, Expertise, and Impact.

Ideas offers an online submission form, and online consultation bookings with the InnoScot Health team. Expertise provides information on some of InnoScot Health’s specialist fields, including intellectual property, regulatory advice, product development and commercialisation.

Finally, Impact tells the story of InnoScot Health across the past 20 years and the role it has played in bringing everything from simple to complex ideas into the Scottish healthcare system.

It is a positive story with more than 250 ideas brought into the healthcare sector, the launch of seven innovative spin-out companies and advice and support provided to multiple innovation projects, including a recent first-for Scotland partnership with the Digital Health and Care Institute to embed validated evidence in digital tools and systems in daily use by health and social care staff.

The organisation also played an important role in responding to Covid-19 with dedicated innovation calls encouraging ideas from health and social care staff.

A key example of this was the organisation’s work with NHS Tayside and outdoor clothing specialist Keela International to create the SARUS-CPR hood. The invention from NHS Tayside’s Medical Director, Professor Peter Stonebridge, is a small, lightweight hood made from transparent fabric which creates a barrier between the patient and the individual performing resuscitation.

It reduces the risk of contamination and infection from bacteria and viruses such as Covid-19. The idea was fast-tracked for development and has now been formally adopted into clinical practice following extensive trials and a positive report from the Scottish Health Technologies Group.

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The new website is part of an ongoing strategic commitment for InnoScot Health to drive connectivity, accelerate a better healthcare future for all, and deliver real value from healthcare innovation.

Alongside InnoScot Health’s rebrand, it has also recruited two new key members of staff to help drive the organisation forward, while expanding its deep well of expertise.

Leigh Mair has been appointed as Innovation Manager for North Scotland and the Scottish Islands, while Uma Shanmugam joins as InnoScot Health’s new regulatory manager.

“At InnoScot Health, we believe innovation is key to unlocking true long-term healthcare progress and we are delighted that our new website makes it easier than ever for NHS Scotland staff members to submit innovative ideas as part of our revitalised modern identity,” said Executive Chair Graham Watson.

“We have been working with NHS teams for 20 years, and have some incredible successes, with a range of products and spin outs making a real difference in healthcare.

“As we work towards NHS recovery, capitalise on new ways of working, and maximise fresh technologies, we need to encourage and draw out the best ideas from the talented and diverse workforce we have here in Scotland. We believe that ease of submission via our new site, and new features such as digital consultations will massively aid that process.”

Professor Jann Gardner, Chief Executive of NHS Golden Jubilee, said: “InnoScot Health has provided invaluable expertise and services in accelerating NHS-led innovation since its inception 20 years ago.

“I am in no doubt that its role will continue to evolve at an incredibly important time for healthcare innovation. Providing dedicated support for ideas originating within our health service will play a vital role in the NHS recovery and beyond.”

Colin Morgan, Director and Vice-Chair of InnoScot Health, and former Johnson and Johnson Director, said: “We believe the refreshed presence of the organisation will help to accelerate our ambitions and enlarge our ability to provide expert advice to NHS Scotland staff members who want to innovate in, and envision better outcomes for, their health service.

“Our new name and digital channels perfectly encapsulate our pride and evolution in what we have already achieved, and what we strive to be – a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that has an important role in the exciting future of Scottish healthcare.”

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