DHI supports delivery of UKRI-funded innovation programme to transform weight management pathways in Scotland
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Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre to help NHS partners design and deliver integrated, end-to-end care
The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) has been commissioned by NHS Lothian and NHS Lanarkshire to support delivery of the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP), following a recent UK Government announcement confirming funding for innovative approaches to obesity care across Scotland.
The UKRI-funded programme will enable new models of weight management support that improve access to personalised care, strengthen prevention, and reduce pressure on frontline services. NHS Lothian and NHS Lanarkshire are among the successful healthcare providers across the UK awarded funding, with DHI acting as a key delivery partner to help translate ambition into scalable, digital-first services.
DHI supported 6 Scottish health boards in developing bids to the competitive programme, with Lothian and Lanarkshire progressing to delivery. Building on this foundation, DHI will now work closely with both boards and a wider consortium to co-design and implement integrated, end-to-end weight management pathways.
Central to this work is the development of a shared digital platform that enables people to access the right support at the right time - ranging from self-management tools and community services through to specialist clinical care. This approach is based on many years of pathway design and digital innovation experience led by DHI and partners, focused on creating more flexible, person-centred services that move beyond traditional appointment-based models.
As a commissioned partner, DHI’s role spans co-design with patients and professionals, digital platform development, programme facilitation, and contract management. The programme will be delivered through a collaborative consortium that includes Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Public Service Delivery Scotland, Defence Medical Command and a range of Scottish SMEs, ensuring a blend of national capability and local innovation.
The work sits within DHI’s Population Health Management portfolio, which aims to support a shift from reactive, case-based care to proactive, population-level approaches. By creating reusable digital capabilities and infrastructure, the programme will generate assets that can be adopted and scaled across NHS Scotland, supporting future services beyond weight management.
A key principle underpinning the programme is the creation of a sustainable, ‘Once for Scotland’ model, where shared digital foundations enable consistent, high-quality care while allowing for local flexibility in delivery.
Chaloner Chute, Chief Technology Officer at DHI said:
"The deep co-design work we have undertaken with patients and staff reveals a critical opportunity to modernise weight management delivery. The clear consensus is that we need a ‘Once for Scotland’ approach - one that bridges existing gaps, prioritises prevention, and embeds self-management at its core. This UKRI-funded project is a significant milestone for digital health and care, providing DHI with the resources to help the NHS accelerate innovation and rise to these unprecedented service challenges.”
By working in partnership with NHS boards and national organisations, DHI will help ensure that the OPIP programme not only delivers local impact but also contributes to long-term transformation of health and care services across Scotland.