InnoScot Health is urging NHS Scotland staff to be inspired to harness the power of their own creativity for a global day of celebration

On Monday 21 April, World Creativity and Innovation Day — a United Nations initiative — is aiming to raise awareness of the need for pioneering thinking in all aspects of human development, economic growth, and achieving a better, more sustainable future.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘Harnessing Creativity for Global Progress’ to promote the role of innovation in addressing those challenges.

Formal NHS Scotland partner InnoScot Health insists that bold, mould-breaking ideas are not only essential to achieving better health for Scotland’s population but in also collectively striving for the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson said: “World Creativity and Innovation Day reminds us all to take a step back, look beyond our perceived limits, and aim to make a substantial difference — to embrace our true potential and the idea that anything is possible when we apply our own knowledge for creative, often multidisciplinary thinking.

“That is especially true for our insightful members of the NHS Scotland workforce who can achieve huge impact with often very simple ideas. I’d encourage them to dream big for the patients they care for and keep in mind that from little seeds grow mighty trees.”

First inaugurated in 2002, World Creativity and Innovation Day went on to be recognised as a United Nations International Day of Observance in 2017. It is now celebrated in 160 countries for its key message — of harnessing the true economic potential of nations for the benefit of all.

InnoScot Health is encouraging Scotland’s healthcare workforce to use the 24^th 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.

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

It hopes World Creativity and Innovation Day can spark impactful innovations, in turn positively impacting health, social, and economic outcomes in key target areas for NHS Scotland, including sustainability, pregnancy and perinatal, ophthalmology, and frailty.

Graham continued: “By helping to improve lives across Scotland’s population through fresh thinking drawn from a diverse and highly skilled workforce, NHS staff are also contributing meaningful action towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including good health, wellbeing, and economic growth.

“Creativity and innovation can ignite the power of progress by offering solutions to complex challenges — from poverty and economic inequality to gender disparities and climate change.

“On #WCID 2025, InnoScot Health is certain that ground-breaking ideas emanating from within our NHS have the power to significantly improve health and social care for all, while supporting an ambitious, entrepreneurial, forward-thinking nation.”

Innovative ideas to any health challenge can be easily submitted through our online portal while an online consultation with InnoScot Health’s expert team can be booked.

Follow #WCID and #creativityandinnovationday for useful insights.