InnoScot Health will be dispensing innovation advice with two visits to NHS Ayrshire and Arran this month as part of a drive to engage local staff and encourage new ideas

The formal NHS Scotland partner’s Innovation Commercialisation Manager Frances Ramsay will be on hand at Ayr Hospital on Wednesday 10 September and Kilmarnock’s Crosshouse Hospital on Wednesday 17 September.

On both dates, she will be manning an InnoScot Health pop-up stand at the entrances to both hospitals’ canteen areas from around 8am-5pm.

Marking the run-up to Scotland’s first Innovation Week (22-26 September), Frances will be happy to chat to all local staff as part of InnoScot Health’s ongoing Scotland-wide drive to reach out to, inspire, and encourage, all NHS workers.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran innovations include the pioneering Project CAELUS drone initiative for medical supplies, the use of the vCreate video platform for patient and family engagement, and the introduction of robotic surgery in gynaecology.

Frances believes there is much more to come and is keen to field questions on any ideas for NHS Scotland improvement, helping to provide guidance on what she calls “either strategic change or for the patients and communities we serve”.

She said: “Over 23 years, InnoScot Health has accrued vast knowledge of bringing ideas to market and supporting NHS staff to achieve their goals and aspirations.

“At a vital time of transformation, we believe 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.

“If you’re working at Ayr or Crosshouse Hospital on the days I’m visiting, then I’d love to have a chat, discuss your ideas for change, and how to take them to the next level through support and expertise. All are welcome.”

InnoScot Health has a range of themed innovation calls which all NHS Ayrshire and Arran staff can contribute to, from sustainability and frailty to a drive for new ideas from nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals (AHPs).

The Health Board has some 800 AHPs alone drawn from eight unique professions working across its health and social care settings — and 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 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.”

Any staff who cannot attend Ayr and Crosshouse Hospitals 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.