InnoScot Health has published a showcase of its most impactful activities, initiatives, and partnerships that are helping support sustainable, inclusive innovation across Scotland

The formal NHS Scotland partner says its ‘Impact Report’ demonstrates the impact that can be made when clinical and commercial expertise is brought together.

The report marks a midway point in the delivery of InnoScot Health’s strategy for 2021-26, ‘Innovating Together’, and the content mirrors its four strategic commitments, alongside case studies that bring to life the true value of InnoScot Health activity and provide insight into the range of innovators and projects supported:

• Strategic Commitment 1 focuses on a connected, collaborative community considering actions taken to better understand innovation within NHS Scotland, connect across the community, support healthcare innovators and partner with NHS, academia and industry to maximise skills, expertise and the collective ambition to advance healthcare innovation
• Strategic Commitment 2 focuses on harnessing expertise for optimal innovation outlining the commercial and regulatory support that has been provided across Scotland to help advance ideas to commercial reality and secure a pipeline of promising healthcare innovations
• Strategic Commitment 3 focuses on accelerating a better healthcare future detailing the success of themed innovation calls, and new pathways that are helping to accelerate innovation, including work with licence partners, Scottish SME’s and new University Student Projects
• Strategic Commitment 4 focuses on delivering real value from healthcare innovation with a focus on not just health, but social and economic benefits of healthcare innovation

The organisation believes the new showcase of its activities collectively “illustrates what can be achieved when we work together”.

Over the last 22 years, InnoScot Health has worked in partnership with NHS Scotland to support innovative ideas from health and social care staff. During this time, support has extended to a range of innovation services including protecting, managing, and commercialising intellectual property in tandem with idea evaluation, regulatory support, funding and investment, and project development.

Executive Chair, Graham Watson said: “Our dynamic, wide-ranging new report offers a story of positive, progressive change — of an organisation making a strong and tangible difference to Scottish healthcare.

“I am proud to say that InnoScot Health has been instrumental in the launch of many products, services, and spinouts which continue to improve patient care and generate income for NHS Scotland.

“The report captures the inspiration, ideas and insight which has already combined to help improve the Scottish health service, while showcasing a robust portfolio of emerging innovations, all originating from talented and committed NHS innovators.

“In other words, it is an encapsulation of the meeting point between talent, expertise and support, not only making a vital impact in the present, but also looking to an exciting future.”

The report also comes at a timely point with impending change to the future operating model of InnoScot Health.

With the organisation in a transition period until 1 April 2027 as the model of innovation support changes, Graham noted that, “InnoScot Health will continue to work closely with NHS Boards and partners across Scotland, developing tailored solutions that support innovation as part of a sustainable health and care system.

“Our next phase of growth will be about building on the already strong foundations and partnerships developed over the last 22 years and delivering on our mission of an entrepreneurial, collaborative Scotland where healthcare innovation thrives.”