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This report presents the first structured mapping of Scotland’s digital health and social care innovation support ecosystem from an entrepreneurial perspective. Using a mixed-methods approach combining ecosystem mapping based on desk review, readiness-level analysis, and engagement with key stakeholders and entrepreneurs, the study identifies 59 organisations supporting innovation across the Quadruple Helix domains of academia, industry, the public sector and the third sector. The analysis reveals a broad yet highly specialised ecosystem, in which support is primarily concentrated in the early stages of innovation — such as funding, mentoring and networking — while functions related to regulation, service integration and system adoption appear less visible and more fragmented. The findings suggest that the principal challenge for innovators is not the absence of support, but the difficulty of navigating and sequencing existing resources throughout the innovation journey. At the same time, the study highlights that, although a relatively established base of support exists for digital health innovation, support specifically directed towards digital social care innovation remains less visible, less clearly articulated and more difficult to identify. < Return to resources Navigating Scotland’s Digital Health and Social Care Innovation Ecosystem: Mapping Support Structures from an Entrepreneurial Perspective Cáceres-Fegrero, Y., Rimpiläinen, S., and Lyons, A. A. This report presents the first structured mapping of Scotland’s digital health and social care innovation support ecosystem from an entrepreneurial perspective. Using a mixed-methods approach combining ecosystem mapping based on desk review, readiness-level analysis, and engagement with key stakeholders and entrepreneurs, the study identifies 59 organisations supporting innovation across the Quadruple Helix domains of academia, industry, the public sector and the third sector. The analysis reveals a broad yet highly specialised ecosystem, in which support is primarily concentrated in the early stages of innovation — such as funding, mentoring and networking — while functions related to regulation, service integration and system adoption appear less visible and more fragmented. The findings suggest that the principal challenge for innovators is not the absence of support, but the difficulty of navigating and sequencing existing resources throughout the innovation journey. At the same time, the study highlights that, although a relatively established base of support exists for digital health innovation, support specifically directed towards digital social care innovation remains less visible, less clearly articulated and more difficult to identify. View resource Previous item Next item

DHI undertakes research, facilitates international knowledge exchange, and publishes academic outputs, grey literature, white papers and a variety of other digital resources focused on digital health and social care. Home / Resources DHI undertakes research, facilitates international knowledge exchange, and publishes academic outputs, grey literature, white papers and a variety of other digital resources focused on digital health and social care. Article Blog post Executive summary Factsheet Paper Poster Presentation Report Show / exhibition Video Search by author Navigating Scotland’s Digital Health and Social Care Innovation Ecosystem: Mapping Support Structures from an Entrepreneurial Perspective Report 2026 Start Now Digital Health and Social Care Deep Dive Report Report 2026 Start Now Health and Social Care Workforce Survey : Experience, Opportunities and Attitudes to Digital Working – Summary Report Executive summary 2026 Start Now Digital Care Collaborative Scotland A community driving digital innovation across social care, social work and housing Executive summary 2026 Start Now Transforming Diabetes Care through Innovation: Leveraging Scotland’s Collaborative Ecosystem Thought Leadership Event Summary Report Executive summary 2025 Start Now Digital Innovation in Social Care - Industry Engagement Workshop Report 2025 Start Now Summary of Key Challenges & Opportunities for Digital Mental Health Research & Innovation in Scotland Executive summary 2025 Start Now Digital Mental Health Innovation Cluster (DMHIC) : Annual Report 2024–2025 Report 2025 Start Now Adult ADHD Scottish Pathway Research : A review of the current landscape of approaches to Adult ADHD care across health boards in Scotland Report 2025 Start Now Digital Lifelines Scotland – Evaluation Logic Model Report 2025 Start Now Evaluation of the Digital Lifelines Scotland (DLS) Programme – FINAL REPORT Report 2025 Start Now Evaluation of the Digital Lifelines Scotland (DLS) Programme – SUPPORTING EVIDENCE REPORT Report 2025 Start Now Evaluation of the Digital Lifelines Scotland (DLS) Programme – EVALUATION SUMMARY Report 2025 Start Now Evaluation of a Digital Solution for the Assessment and Management of Pain in Scottish Care Services Report 2025 Start Now Digital Innovation in Social Care : Priorities and Opportunities for Scotland Report 2025 Start Now Digital Imagination’ series: Imagining a future virtual clinic experience Paper 2025 Start Now First Prev 1 Page 1 Next Last

The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) is a national resource and 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. DHI's 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. We are the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre Our mission is to transform great ideas into digital health and social care solutions Join our Network DHI Exchange A national platform driving digital health and care innovation through collaboration, technology integration, and person-centred data sharing. What we do DHI drives research and innovation in digital health and social care, supporting sustainable services, future skills, and improved health outcomes across Scotland. Resources A global leader in digital health and social care, delivering research, fostering international collaboration, and producing a range of academic and digital outputs. 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. Learn more 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. Collaborate with us Health & 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. Innovate with us 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. Shape the future 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. Explore opportunities 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. Join our citizen panel Digital health and social care innovation 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. Our definition 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. Find out more £41.2M additional funding secured 29.5K report downloads 50 projects managed 1000+ active network members 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. 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. Meet our partners

In mid-April, leaders from across Moray’s business, public and third sectors came together at the Rural Centre of Excellence at Moray UHI for a focused business breakfast. This was not to discuss another strategy, but to test something far more ambitious. The question at the heart of the session was simple: Can Moray build a new way of working, where local organisations come together to turn health and social care challenges into practical, deliverable opportunities? What emerged from the discussion was clear. There is both appetite and urgency to do things differently. Moray, like many regions, is facing increasing pressure across health and social care. But rather than viewing these purely as system challenges, the conversation focused on something more constructive: What if these challenges were reframed as opportunities for local businesses, social enterprises and community organisations? Not in theory, but in practical economic impact values. Bridge Moray is built on that premise. It is not a programme of ideas or reports. It is a collaborative venture focused on co-designing real solutions, grounded in local need and delivered through local capability. The initiative is being supported through the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) as part of the Moray Growth Deal, creating a platform to explore how innovation, collaboration and local delivery can come together in a meaningful and scalable ways. What We Heard Across the room, there was strong alignment on a number of key points: There is a clear appetite to collaborate across sectors Businesses are interested, but require tangible opportunities, not just concepts The greatest potential sits in non-clinical and community-based services The third sector is ready to play a central role in shaping delivery There is momentum but a strong need for clear direction and next steps Perhaps most importantly, there was a shared recognition that: Moray responds best to solutions that are built locally, where the impact is visible and felt within its communities. Local Opportunity A significant theme emerging from the session was the role of Community Wealth Building (CWB), a follow on for TSI Moray's Join the Dots event. Currently, a large proportion of health and social care spend flows out of the region. CWB presents a real opportunity to change that, by strengthening local supply chains and enabling more businesses and organisations within Moray to deliver services. This is about keeping more value local and creating new opportunities by doing so. With the backing of DHI and the Moray Growth Deal, Bridge Moray creates the conditions to begin connecting that opportunity with real demand, supporting both improved outcomes and regional economic growth. While the ambition is clear, so too is the challenge. To move forward, the focus now needs to shift from discussion to execution. That means: Defining a small number of priority challenge areas Translating these into clear, business-ready opportunities Understanding and navigating procurement and delivery pathways Creating space to test, pilot and refine solutions locally There was a shared understanding that this work will require coordination, commitment and a different way of working but that it is both possible and worthwhile. What Happens Next The business breakfast was an important first step in validating the concept. The next phase will focus on building momentum through action, working with partners across sectors to shape early opportunities, test ideas, and begin demonstrating what this approach could deliver in practice. Bridge Moray will only succeed if it continues to be shaped collaboratively. The strength of the region lies in its networks, its businesses, and its communities and this initiative is designed to bring those strengths together in a more purposeful way. We would like to thank each and every person that attended the Business Breakfast and for all of those involved, your input will now help us shape a way to bridging the gap. The direction is clear. Now the focus is on delivery.

The #DigiInventors Awards Ceremony 2026 was a powerful celebration of creativity, empathy and ambition, recognising young innovators who are already re‑imagining how digital ideas can improve health, wellbeing and care. Hosted at City of Glasgow College, the evening brought together pupils, educators, families, partners and supporters to celebrate not just winning ideas, but the future potential of Scotland’s digital talent pipeline. For those unable to attend, the ceremony offered an inspiring snapshot of how early intervention, the right support, and meaningful real‑world challenges can unlock confidence and capability in the next generation. Delivered by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI), the #DigiInventors Challenge is a curriculum‑aligned innovation programme that invites young people to develop digital solutions to real‑world health, social care and wellbeing challenges. Now in its fourth Primary School edition, the programme supports pupils to build essential skills in: Digital and design thinking Creativity and problem‑solving Teamwork, communication and pitching Early awareness of health, care and technology careers In 2026 alone, the Primary Challenge engaged over 300 pupils from 122 applications, representing schools from urban, rural and remote communities across Scotland. For educators and industry alike, #DigiInventors represents a practical, scalable way to strengthen the future skills pipeline at a time when digital health and care continues to grow. From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was one of excitement and pride. The ceremony was grounded in celebration of pupils’ ideas, teacher support, and the collective effort that brings the Challenge to life. The programme moved through Special Recognition awards, Runner‑Up teams, and finally the 2026 Primary School Edition Winners, each introduced through engaging project videos that brought pupils’ concepts to life. Across the stage, themes of inclusion, sustainability, accessibility and mental wellbeing shone through. Winners included: The Cool Crutch - a sustainable, customisable mobility aid addressing physical impairment Pulse Pals - a digital wellbeing app supporting anxiety management Kooldle - an accessible braille‑based reading device for children with vision impairment The trophies presented at the 2026 #DigiInventors Awards were made by The Workshop Aberfeldy, a social enterprise based in Perthshire. The image below showcases the people and workshop environment involved in making the trophies. The Workshop Aberfeldy supports individuals who face barriers to employment by providing practical work experience and skills development through production and craft. Visit their website to learn more DHI’s Role: Building Skills, Confidence and Futures At the heart of #DigiInventors is DHI’s mission to strengthen Scotland’s digital health and care ecosystem - not only through technology, but through people. By intervening early, DHI helps young people see themselves as problem‑solvers, innovators and future contributors to a £700bn+ global sector. The Challenge supports workforce development, inclusion and long‑term economic resilience, while giving educators real‑world, high‑engagement learning experiences. Importantly, participation in #DigiInventors contributes towards Young STEM Leader Awards, providing formal recognition that builds confidence and supports learners’ future pathways. Get Involved: Sponsorship and Partnership Opportunities The success of #DigiInventors is powered by collaboration. For organisations across industry, academia, health, care and education, the programme offers meaningful sponsorship opportunities that align with ESG goals, workforce development and social impact. Partners can support: Early skills development and future talent pipelines Inclusive, curriculum‑aligned education High‑impact national and international innovation programmes View the #DigiInventors Sponsorship Brochure to explore how your organisation can get involved as a partner or supporter. Looking Ahead The 2026 Awards Ceremony marked another milestone, but it is only the beginning. With growing national and international interest, #DigiInventors continues to expand its reach, impact and ambition. Applications for future Challenges will open soon, and we encourage educators, schools and partners to be part of it. Congratulations to all our 2026 #DigiInventors. Blog written by Olivia Dunbar

Research Data Scotland (RDS) has published a new Operational Framework to support secure, ethical and more consistent private sector access to public sector data for research in the public good. Developed on behalf of the Scottish Government, the framework is designed to support informed decision-making by Scotland’s public sector data controllers when managing requests from industry to access de-identified data for research and innovation. This is an important step for Scotland’s research and innovation landscape. Public sector data has significant potential to improve health and care, inform better services, support economic growth and accelerate responsible innovation - but only when access is managed in ways that are ethical, transparent and able to maintain public trust. The new framework seeks to create clearer and more efficient routes for that access while keeping robust safeguards in place. The framework has been developed through the Scottish Government’s Unlocking the Value of Data programme and builds on earlier work by RDS, engagement with stakeholders across Scotland, and public engagement activity. It is intended primarily for public sector data controllers and others involved in access decisions, while also offering greater clarity for researchers and innovators. The initial testing and evaluation phase will focus on healthcare, specifically access to de-identified healthcare data for research purposes. Why this matters For innovators, researchers and partners working across health and care, clearer pathways to data access matter. Better access arrangements can help reduce complexity, improve consistency and create the conditions for more research and innovation that delivers public benefit. The framework is underpinned by a number of guiding principles, including public interest and public benefit, transparency, public engagement and involvement, and risk management. It also sits alongside established safeguards such as de-identification, Trusted Research Environments and the Five Safes framework. Together, these measures are intended to support the safe and trustworthy use of data while enabling projects that can improve outcomes for people and communities across Scotland. A foundation for future progress Importantly, this is a first version of the framework rather than a final end point. RDS has said it will continue to test, evaluate and refine the approach in collaboration with data controllers and partners, with supporting materials and further development to follow over time. Alongside the framework, RDS has also published a set of private sector case studies showing how public sector data can support research in the public benefit, including work linked to cancer outcomes, multimorbidity, imaging and precision medicine. RDS has also announced plans for a pilot Accelerator Award to support Scotland-based SMEs in the life sciences sector to undertake research in the public benefit. Find out more You can read the full announcement from Research Data Scotland, download the Operational Framework, explore the Scottish Government blog on the publication, and review the private sector case studies on the RDS website.