InnoScot Health is urging NHS, industry, and academia to unite for a global day of celebration and get inspired by the limitless power of their own collaborative creativity

The key partner in realising healthcare innovation ambitions for Scotland insists that the country’s multi-disciplinary expertise can be brought closer together on Tuesday 21 April for World Creativity and Innovation Day — a United Nations initiative — under its theme of ‘Step Out and Innovate’.

This year, the day is aiming to draw out “bold thinking and practical innovation, encouraging transformative solutions for sustainable development and global progress” in all aspects of human development, economic growth, and for achieving a better, more sustainable future.

InnoScot Health is encouraging Scotland’s healthcare pioneers to use World Creativity and Innovation Day — part of Part of World Creativity and Innovation Week (15-21 April) — as inspiration to kickstart their own ambitions, focus their unique expertise on overcoming challenges, and reach out for collaborative support.

Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson said: “World Creativity and Innovation Day reminds us that we all have a role to play in encouraging and empowering a healthier, more sustainable future – that we have a responsibility not only in the here and now, but to successive generations.

“However, we must first be open to inspiration and realise that our true potential cannot be achieved in a vacuum. In order to break down vital barriers to progress, we must resolve to find like-minded partners who can elevate our ambitions with their own insights and help turn idea into reality.

“That is where Scotland’s ‘triple helix’ of NHS, industry, and academia is so important. Leveraging the pivotal three-way knowledge exchange which it represents can bridge essential gaps in understanding, accelerate design and development ambitions, all while fostering further connections.

“Complemented by the right innovation support, promising sparks of inspiration can turn into exciting realities when opened up to others. To InnoScot Health, that is the true meaning of ‘Step Out and Innovate’ – by stepping just a little outside of your own sphere to share your ideas, great things can happen.”

“World Creativity and Innovation Day is the perfect time to dream big.”

First inaugurated in 2002, the United Nations International Day of Observance is now celebrated in 160 countries for its key message – of harnessing true economic potential for the benefit of all and collectively striving for the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Graham added: “By helping to improve lives across Scotland’s population and pushing the limits of their imagination, pioneering healthcare thinkers are also contributing meaningful action towards the UN’s SDGs, including good health, wellbeing, and economic growth.

“When aligned with the right support, they have the power to identify solutions to complex challenges which have a knock-on effect for health – from gender disparities and climate change to poverty and economic inequality.

“On #WCID 2026, InnoScot Health is urging those with forward-thinking ideas to grasp the opportunity to step out and be counted.”

InnoScot Health has been working in partnership for over 23 years to inspire, accelerate, and commercialise fresh ideas that can improve day to day healthcare practices.

The organisation launched a new innovation call last month in a bid to inspire early-stage innovators such as students and emerging NHS staff across Scotland and draw out solutions to unmet healthcare needs.

Follow #WCID and #creativityandinnovationday for useful insights.