A new call to early-stage innovators is set to draw out solutions to unmet healthcare needs, inspiring students and emerging NHS staff alike across Scotland

InnoScot Health — a key agent in realising the country’s innovation ambitions — launched the call during a recent webinar with the aim of catalysing collaborative ideas from fresh thinkers in NHS, industry, and academia.

It further aims to support those who already have early-stage solutions in progress — whether prototypes, supporting data, or initial coding for digital applications.

InnoScot Health believes the call represents a simple initiative for inspiring ambitious innovators to take a vital next step towards realising their ambitions and helping to create a healthier Scotland by tapping into expert assistance.

The organisation is particularly reaching out to budding healthcare entrepreneurs, including those in their final year of training or first year of qualified practice, whether nurses, doctors, midwives, allied health professionals, scientists, or other specialties.

The call may also appeal to industry, including SMEs, and student entrepreneurs who want to submit an idea.

Submissions should aim to benefit healthcare in a variety of ways:

• Improve patient care quality, safety, or health and outcomes
• Increase efficiency affordability, and sustainabilities, or reduce system costs
• Support staff wellbeing or workforce resilience and access for underserved communities
• Enable digital, data-driven, and remote care transformation

InnoScot Health provides a package of support with the ultimate goal of getting a new product or service onto the market which can make a difference to patients and service users.

An associated benefit is the generation of income for the innovator themselves and NHS Scotland where appropriate.

Head of Innovation, Robert Rea said: “The early-stage innovation call will be open until Thursday 30 April, so we are urging relevant parties to get in touch before then, providing an outline of their proposed solution which we can assess and potentially take to the next level.

“Our experts are particularly looking for novel ideas that target areas of unmet need and offer commercial potential, so if you believe that you fit the criteria, then we look forward to hearing from you soon.”

“It’s easy to get in touch through our quick and intuitive booking form and we’re happy to answer any questions.”

As part of the new drive, InnoScot Health is also hosting an online drop-in session on Wednesday 11 March from 12-12.45pm to allow the informal discussion of ideas with the organisation’s experts and help formulate submissions.

Robert added: “This will provide an open forum for those with fresh thinking to share their early-stage solutions and seek advice on how they can help to improve healthcare.

“It might be a method of solving an issue that they encounter every day, or an approach to smarter working, freeing up precious NHS staff time, but we’re happy to discuss any areas of healthcare innovation — all are welcome.”