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great ideas into digital health and social care solutions

Who we are

The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) was established in 2013 and is a key enabler and catalyst for change, occupying a unique and visible position at the heart of the innovation ecosystem for digital health and social care in Scotland.

 

A world-leading collaboration between the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow School of Art, publicly funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the Scottish Government. We are a not-for-profit organisation.

Our expertise and influence allow us to play a pivotal role in building a fairer, inclusive, accessible, and equitable health and social care system by harnessing the power of Scotland’s public, private, and third/ charity sectors. 

Industry

DHI helps companies get their digital health & care innovations to market. 

 

We have 10 years’ experience working with stakeholders in the NHS, academia, the Scottish Government, third sector, funders and industry to support cross-sectoral collaboration and digital health and care innovation.

We understand the complexity of health and social care customer needs and  procurement systems.

Health and care providers

DHI is a catalyst for change and a conduit for NHS reform. We harness Research & Innovation (R&I) to support the essential recovery and digitally enabled transformation of health and social care services.

 

We work with the NHS, local authorities, independent health & care providers, housing associations, 3rd Sector and charities.

Academia and education

DHI works with Academia to gather insight, undertake research, co-design and develop collaborative innovations to implement change, generate real impact and attract increased investment and funding into R&I and institutional capabilities.

We engage with schools, colleges, universities to raise awareness of careers in the digital health and social care sector.

Wider public sector

DHI works with wider public sector services to deploy key digital assets to re-imagine care and support a strong pipeline of digital and data pathfinder initiatives.

 

We operate as an anchor institution to showcase Scotland’s capability and appetite for digital health and care innovation by working with cross-sectoral partners to transform great ideas into real digital health and social care solutions.

Working with

Citizens

DHI uses design research-led approaches to engage with citizens and keep them at the heart of all we do.

 

If you want to contribute to the co-design of Scotland’s latest digital health and social care solutions, join our citizen panel.

In the complex landscape of health and care, numerous terms such as Telehealth, Telemedicine, and Telecare are frequently employed to describe the integration of technology in healthcare services. 

The DHI prefers a more inclusive and simplified approach to terminology.

Digital health and social care innovation

dhi healthcare innovation projection staff discussion

What we do

Research and Innovation (R&I) in digital health and social care creates sustainable services and develops future skills, helping Scotland’s people live longer and healthier lives and enabling the economy to flourish to meet global needs. 

 

DHI plays a pivotal role in creating and supporting collaborations that co-design person-centred digital health and social care solutions across service, technical, and business innovation.

dhi co design workshop in dhi office HQ

Resources

DHI is an international leader and trusted expert in digital health and social care.

We undertake research, facilitate international knowledge exchange, and publish academic outputs, grey literature, white papers and a variety of other digital resources.

dhi e-health news

Design innovation

Design innovation is central to the DHI’s initiatives. As a co-founding partner, The Glasgow School of Art has shaped our unique design-led and participatory approach, recognised for its effectiveness in delivering impactful services.

Our methodology fosters meaningful engagement with citizens, healthcare professionals, and communities, aligning with the Scottish Approach to Service Design. We tailor each project to the specific context, ensuring solutions meet the needs of all involved.

Dhi co-design digital health workshop display
digital healthcare event at dhi HQ
DHI exchange​

One of Scotland’s key national assets to support health and social care service transformation. 

Our track recordof success

healthcare technology

52

Co-design projects

delivered

review of digital solutions for carers

3500+

Citizens engaged

plan for digital health and social care

500+

demonstrations

digital health and social care

41

health & care

org. engaged 

Our broader impact

Our decade-long commitment to transforming Scotland's digital health and social care landscape has seen DHI secure vital funding, facilitate key projects, and build a robust network from across the sector.

 

We're driving meaningful change that shapes the future of health and social care innovation in Scotland and beyond.

£41.2M

additional funding secured

29.5K

report

downloads

50

projects

managed

1900

active network members

Globally
connected

Dedicated to transform health and social care through digital innovation, not just in Scotland but across the globe.

Our collaborations extend our impact far beyond national boundaries, positioning us at the forefront of global health and social care solutions.

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Spotlighting impactful innovation

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