A formal NHS Scotland partner will be dispensing innovation advice to NHS Dumfries and Galloway next month as part of a drive to engage local staff and encourage new ideas

InnoScot Health’s Innovation Manager Frances Ramsay will be on hand from 10am on Wednesday 4 December at a stand situated in the Dumfries Royal Infirmary foyer as part of the organisation’s ongoing Scotland-wide drive to reach out to, inspire, and encourage, all NHS workers.

At a vital time of transformation, InnoScot Health believes that anyone can be an innovator, and groundbreaking ideas — whether simple or complex — can provide key solutions, helping to make processes more efficient while improving patient outcomes.

Frances will be welcoming all interested staff at the district hospital in Cargenbridge, Dumfries to discuss ideas which might be viable and what kind of support is on offer from InnoScot Health whose expertise and insights have been accrued from over 20 years working alongside NHS Scotland.

Information days and engagement sessions are planned for next year, providing a further opportunity to engage with NHS Dumfries and Galloway staff and develop their ideas, ultimately protecting NHS intellectual property, aiding product commercialisation, and integrating fresh innovation for patient benefit.

InnoScot Health has a range of themed innovation calls which all NHS Dumfries and Galloway staff can contribute to, and has just launched a fresh drive for new ideas from nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals (AHPs).

Making up a third of the country’s health and social care workforce, InnoScot Health believes these uniquely insightful, diverse staff groups can be powerful drivers of change.

Frances said: “I’m very much looking forward to meeting staff at the Dumfries Royal Infirmary as they go about their day. As a former nurse, I fully appreciate how busy they can be, so I’m happy to accommodate all types of interest — whether quick enquiries or longer chats with a view to taking ideas forward.

“InnoScot Health also understands that hard-working staff can find the notion of innovating to be a challenging one as they look to find the right balance that suits them alongside existing work and personal commitments — that’s where we can help by lending our support every step of the way.

“We’re certain that NHS Dumfries and Galloway has great ideas to offer which could make a real difference. PatientHub is one great example of its pioneering spirit in managing digital appointments across a range of devices.

“We’re excited to hear if more forward-thinking ideas can follow such examples. No matter where staff members might be on their own innovation journey, InnoScot Health is keen to listen and offer advice as it takes its drive to identify improvements big or small to Health Boards right across the country.”

Any staff who cannot attend the Royal Infirmary on 4 December are invited to submit an idea or proposal by completing a short online form.

Those that meet InnoScot Health’s criteria for support will receive assistance to develop their innovation, including guidance to source funding for its development, regulatory support, project management, and extensive innovation expertise.