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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. Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre 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. 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 Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title 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

During our stakeholder engagement in Moray, we identified five key themes to drive innovation in the region's health and social care sector. Using the Living Lab methodology from ENoLL, we are hosting workshops and interviews with practitioners and the public to assess current services, identify challenges, and explore improvements. Home / RCE - Moray Hub / Living labs The Rural Centre of Excellences has five living labs structured environments for collaboration, co-design and testing of digital health and care solutions. Each Living Lab responds to identified local and national challenges, whilst contributing to wider learning and impact. Living Lab 1 - Supported Self-Management Scotland has one of the highest obesity levels in Europe, with two-thirds of adults overweight and one-third living with obesity. This contributes significantly to long-term conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and reduced quality of life. Supported self-management empowers individuals to take greater control of their health and wellbeing, leading to improved outcomes and increased satisfaction with care. In response, RCE in collaboration with industry and public sector partners, have developed a digital solution in Moray to support weight management and active living. The Personal Health & Care Record App will offer remote assessments, activity monitoring, dietary tracking, two-way messaging and personalised goal setting. This living lab takes a preventative, population level-approach, connecting individuals with the right information and support to help manage weight and reduce the risk of developing associated conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Living Lab 2 - Long-Term Conditions Co-Management An ageing population, declining birth rates and increasing prevalence of long-term conditions continue to place pressure on health and care services across Scotland. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the essential role of digital health solutions such as video consultations, in supporting service delivery. Conditions including diabetes, heart disease and cancer are increasing across all groups, alongside growing demand for mental health support. Digital tools can enable individuals to better manage their conditions through access to self-help resources, symptom monitoring and timely support. The Rural Centre of Excellence in partnership with front-line staff and citizens across Moray is exploring innovative digital solutions that improves health and wellbeing, reduces administrative pressures and increase meaningful face-to-face time between staff and patients. This living lab is initially focused on supporting people with type 2 diabetes. The aim is to connect individuals with the right service at the right time, drawing on community-based support where appropriate, and ensuring specialist clinical resources are directed to those with the greatest need. Key partners include the Rural Centre of Excellence, NHS Grampian Dietic Service in Moray, clinical teams supporting type 2 diabetes management and Moray Leisure Centre. An innovative wellness platform, Heart of Moray is now being developed and tested. It provides a supportive community for people living with overweight and obesity related conditions, offering guided self-management and improved connections to local services. More information about this project and opportunities to get involved can be found Heart of Moray- Improving health and wellbeing together. New digital tools are being introduced, this includes an app within Community Connections that collects health and wellbeing data from devices such as Apple Health and Fitbit; a leisure centre interface that is linked to a personal data store, offering personalised local services through a leisure centre membership and an NHS Clinical interface which enables consent-based access to data and support from healthcare professionals. These tools will expand access to diet and lifestyle support in ways that suit individuals’ needs and preferences. This work is attracting national interest, with further development and wider adoption beyond Moray expected as the project continues to evolve. Living Lab 2B: Community Occupational Therapy Pathway Demand for equipment and adaptions through Occupational Therapy services has increased significantly in recent years. Individuals with moderate needs are currently facing waiting times of up to 18 months for assessment. This Living Lab focuses on developing solutions that enable citizens and those who support them, to access information earlier, understand available options and take preventative action. Tools currently in development include AskSARA, a nationally used self-assessment platform providing impartial, personalised recommendations for equipment and adaptations based on a short series of questions. AskSARA will be available through the Community Connections Moray platform, alongside information about the Moray Occupational Therapy Service, including eligibility criteria, waiting times and referral guidance. A referral management system is currently in development and is testing. This will be connected via the Personal Data Store, allowing users to automatically populate a detail referral using their existing ‘about me’ information, improving the quality of referrals received by the service. Triage supported by AI will help reduce the clinical time spent on referral management tasks. Living Lab 2C: Prevent Progress of Diabetes App Developed in partnership with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and tested with Elgin Health Centre, this project has contributed to shaping the latest SIGN guidelines for type 2 diabetes prevention and remission. This work has informed the development of both clinical and citizen-facing tools hosted on the Right Decision Service platform. Testing has demonstrated improvements in users’ knowledge, confidence and motivation to make positive lifestyle changes. Living Lab 3 - Care in Place The Covid-19 Pandemic has placed significant and lasting pressures on the health and social care in Moray, particularly within community care. Long waiting times, rural isolation, workforce pressures and challenges in crisis prevention have increased strain on unpaid carers. Consultations reveal a need for better communication, reduced duplication and easier access to support. Carers often face the burden of repeating information, while professionals struggle to access crucial data, impacting care quality and efficiency. This Living lab is developing digital platforms, currently being tested in Forres and Lossiemouth areas with unpaid carers. These platforms act as a ‘one-stop shop’, enabling people to tell their story once through a Personal Data Store and consent to share information across services. This supports the creation of detailed referrals without the need for repeated form-filling. Initial testing has been completed, with further integration work underway. Living Lab 4 - Smart Housing/Communities The UK’s transition from analogue to digital phone-lines have had a significant impact on “lifeline” devices that rely on older technology. As residents across Moray upgrade to digital services, opportunities arise to enhance safety, independence and wellbeing through smart technologies. Devices such as smart speakers, wearables and sensors offer the potential to monitor health, mobility and daily activity, helping reduce hospital admissions and improve quality of life. The Rural Centre of Excellence, working with Health and Social Care Moray, is exploring how these technologies can support independent living. The Smart Housing Project aims to help people remain safe and well in their own homes for longer, maximising independence, reduce reliance on care services and minimising hospitalisation. With the national switch-off of analogue phone lines planned for January 2027, this Living Lab supports a shift from reactive telecare to proactive Technology Enabled Care (TEC). The Rural Centre of Excellence is collaborating with Moray Growth Deal’s Housing Mix Project and the Built Environment- Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) innovation centre to develop a Smart Home Digital Blueprint, bringing together expertise from design, construction and digital sectors to shape the future of smart homes. Living Lab 5 - Mental Well-Being This living lab focuses on developing and testing innovative solutions to address poor mental health and low well-being- issues, challenges that carry significant social and economic impact. With an estimated one billion people worldwide affected by mental health conditions, this Living Lab aims to improve access to support, promote positive wellbeing and reduce loneliness across Moray. Early research and development have on enhancing Community Connections Moray, to include mental health and wellbeing information and improved access to relevant services. Up to 50 volunteers from health and care staff groups have been recruited to test an innovative AI-enabled early intervention and prevention platform, eMoodie. Join our citizen panel Make sure you join our Citizen Panel to get involved in activities and help shape these initiatives. Join now Partners

The £5m Rural Centre of Excellence for Digital Health and Care (RCE), funded by the UK Government and managed and delivered by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI), aims to advance Scotland's digital health agenda and support economic recovery. It includes a Demonstration & Simulation Environment (DSE) in Elgin and Living Labs for innovation collaboration across Moray. < Return to projects Rural Centre of Excellence for Digital Health and Care Innovation in the Moray Region Project impact 12 Simulations and 5 living labs 2-4 significant inward investments and 30-50 high value jobs created Enhancement of existing local health and care/digital-related certified courses to include digital health and care-related modules The £5m Rural Centre of Excellence for Digital Health and Care (RCE), funded by the UK Government and managed and delivered by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI), aims to advance Scotland's digital health agenda and support economic recovery. It includes a Demonstration & Simulation Environment (DSE) in Elgin and Living Labs for innovation collaboration across Moray. The Rural Centre of Excellence for Digital Health and Care Innovation (RCE) is a £5M initiative funded by the UK Government through the Moray Growth Deal. Delivered by Scotland’s National Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) and focused on the Moray local authority area, the initiative plans on becoming a key driver of the country-wide digital health and care agenda being promoted in Scotland and as a critical component of the remobilisation and economic recovery strategy. Summary The primary aim of the RCE is to generate inward investment and high-value jobs in the region under the umbrella of the growth deal, in addition, co-creating digital assets will benefit health and social care services and citizens too. The RCE consists of an infrastructure and 5 living labs (projects) that will deliver assets capable of standalone adoption. The significant impact, however, on health and social care services and the user experience comes from the sum of these parts across the full health and care journey through a unique and innovative integrated approach. In addition, we have a skills strand aiming to create additional education opportunities to support the transformation of health and social care. This work looks at various aspects of Skills & The Future Workforce through the development and provision of courses and skills, including supporting Living Lab methodology and technical testing. Impact & value Progress across Living Lab 1, 2, 2B and 2C includes the development of digital tools that support self-management, weight management and long-term condition care, particularly for type 2 diabetes. This includes Personal Health & Care Record App for remote assessments and lifestyle tracking; alongside new self-help and monitoring solutions created with NHS and community partners. Additional progress includes Heart of Moray wellness platform and new integrations that connect data from smart devices through Community Connections. Living Lab 2B has advanced early-access and preventative support through integration of AskSARA and AI-enabled referral system linked to the Personal Data store. Living Lab 2C has informed national SIGN guidelines through testing Prevent Progress of Diabetes app, with clinical and citizen-facing tools demonstrating improved knowledge, confidence and motivation for lifestyle change. Living Lab 3 Care in Place progress includes testing digital ‘one-stop-shop’ platforms in Forres and Lossiemouth that reduces duplication, improves communication and allows carers and citizens to share their story once via the Personal Data Store. Early testing is complete, and further integration is underway to improve referral processes and coordination of community care. Living Lab 4 Smart Housing Smart Comunities is exploring how smart speakers, wearables and sensors can support independent living, especially ahead of the 2027 analogue phone-line switch off. Work includes developing a Smart Home Digital Blueprint with regional partners to support the shift from reactive telecare to proactive Technology Enabled Care. Living Lab 5 Wellbeing progress includes early development of improved mental wellbeing resources within Community Connections Moray, expanding access to support. Up to 50 staff volunteers are resting the AI-enabled eMoodie platform, designed to provide early intervention support to reduce loneliness and improve resilience across the community. Progress to date All living labs focus on further developing, integrating and scaling the digital tools already in progress. Living Lab 1 and 2 will continue refining self-management, weight management and long-term conditions, expanding the use of Personal Health & Care Record App, Heart of Moray platform and connected data tools to support wider adoption across Moray and beyond. Living Lab 2B will advance the implementation of AskSARA within Community Connections and complete development of the AI-supported referral management system to streamline Occupational Therapy Pathways. Living Lab 2C will build on testing outcomes of the Prevent Progress of Diabetes app, progressing clinical and citizen-facing tool shaped by national guidelines. Living Lab 3 will move from initial testing into deeper integration of digital platforms to improve communication and coordination in community care. Living Lab 4 will continue developing and implementing smart home technologies and with Smart Home Digital Blueprint, preparing for 2027 analogue switch-off and supporting proactive Technology Enabled Care. Living Lab 5 will continue testing of the eMoodie platform and further develop mental health and wellbeing features within Community Connections Moray. Next steps RCE live hub DHI identified 4 key areas of focus to support the remobilisation of health and care services in Moray. Learn more Partners Project staff Resources 140225 Smart Housing Proof of Concept FAQs 140225 Smart Housing Proof of Concept Call - Industry Engagement Q&A Session (session 1) 140225 Smart Housing Proof of Concept Call - Industry Engagement Q&A Session (session 2) 230322 - Introducing the RCE on-demand video 230322 - Introducing the RCE slidedeck 230322 - Introducing the RCE post-event write up What is the Moray Growth Deal YouTube video My Moray website - Moray Growth Deal Full Moray Growth Deal official press release Moray Rural Centre of Excellence for Digital Health and Care Innovation Launch press release Blog from Karim Mahmoud on his thoughts on the Moray RCE launch event Previous project Projects index page Next project

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.