Digital health innovations often struggle to scale beyond pilot stages due to a lack of understanding regarding the evidence needed to convince decision-makers to adopt them sustainably. This paper, based on interviews with decision-makers engaged in digital health innovations in Scotland, presents a heuristic service readiness level (SRL) framework to capture the evolving evidence needed for scaling digital health innovation projects. By analysing what evidence is required and how data accumulates over time, this framework assists project teams in building a compelling case for scaling digital health innovations. < Return to resources Scaling digital health innovation: developing a new 'service readiness level' framework of evidence Hughes, J., Lennon, M., Rogerson, R. & Crooks, G. Digital health innovations often struggle to scale beyond pilot stages due to a lack of understanding regarding the evidence needed to convince decision-makers to adopt them sustainably. This paper, based on interviews with decision-makers engaged in digital health innovations in Scotland, presents a heuristic service readiness level (SRL) framework to capture the evolving evidence needed for scaling digital health innovation projects. By analysing what evidence is required and how data accumulates over time, this framework assists project teams in building a compelling case for scaling digital health innovations. View resource Previous item Next item Scaling digital health innovation: developing a new 'service readiness level' framework of evidence Article 2021 Start Now

This project designed and evaluated a Diabetes Prevention Information App as part of a scalable, digitally enabled service model integrated into primary care to support individuals at risk of Type 2 diabetes. Living Lab 2C: Prevent Progress of Diabetes App Project impact The intervention significantly improved users’ knowledge, confidence, and motivation to adopt healthier lifestyle behaviours, with 94% reporting increased knowledge and 88% reporting improved confidence. A blended model combining digital tools with brief professional (dietitian) support enhanced engagement and enabled more effective access to preventative services. The project demonstrated a scalable, cost-effective approach to diabetes prevention that can reduce demand on healthcare services while improving population-level health outcomes. This project designed and evaluated a Diabetes Prevention Information App as part of a scalable, digitally enabled service model integrated into primary care to support individuals at risk of Type 2 diabetes. This project developed and tested a diabetes prevention app integrated into primary care, using a person-centred model tailored to individuals’ digital confidence. An 8-week pilot with high-risk patients showed strong engagement, improved knowledge, and increased motivation for lifestyle change, with many participants making or planning healthier behaviour changes. Summary This project demonstrates a scalable, cost-effective digital approach to diabetes prevention that can be delivered within existing NHS infrastructure. By supporting early intervention and self-management, it has the potential to reduce long-term demand on healthcare services. The model provides an equitable and flexible approach, accommodating different levels of digital literacy, while enhancing patient engagement and service uptake through the integration of digital tools with professional support. Impact & value The app content was co-designed through a series of workshops and developed on the Right Decision Service platform. A pilot was then implemented within a GP practice in Moray, targeting patients identified as being at high risk of developing diabetes. An eight-week evaluation demonstrated strong engagement, with 63% of participants actively using the app and 92% rating it as easy to use. Positive behavioural outcomes were also observed, with most participants reporting lifestyle changes or intentions to make changes. The integration of professional support was successfully tested, with 79% of participants taking up dietitian support. Building on these encouraging findings, the next phase will focus on scaling the approach across NHS settings, enhancing app functionality, and expanding evaluation to larger and more diverse populations. Progress to date Next steps Partners Project staff Resources Developing a Digitally Enabled Universal Service Model to Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk Previous project Projects index page Next project

Summary of Kings Fund report on digitalisation of the NHS. < Return to resources A Digital NHS: An Introduction to the Digital Agenda and Plans for Implementation Rooney, Laura Summary of Kings Fund report on digitalisation of the NHS. View resource Previous item Next item A Digital NHS: An Introduction to the Digital Agenda and Plans for Implementation Executive summary 2016 Start Now

Game Jam employed a participatory design approach to identify opportunities for an interactive game-based learning tool and, to co-design this with young people with learning disabilities for educating them on internet and social media safety. The project involved a sequential series of Experience Labs with the young people and trainers, which spanned a period of five months. Game Jam was carried out in partnership with the Midlothian Council and the University of the West of Scotland. Using an iterative design approach, four game concepts were co-created by participants and shared in the form of low fidelity prototypes. The final game concept was based on a consolidation of ideas from the four concepts to align with the participants’ preferences and incorporated training themes. < Return to resources Game Jam: Co-designing a Game-based Learning Tool on Internet and Social Media Safety with Young People with Learning Disabilities Raman, Sneha and French, Tara Game Jam employed a participatory design approach to identify opportunities for an interactive game-based learning tool and, to co-design this with young people with learning disabilities for educating them on internet and social media safety. The project involved a sequential series of Experience Labs with the young people and trainers, which spanned a period of five months. Game Jam was carried out in partnership with the Midlothian Council and the University of the West of Scotland. Using an iterative design approach, four game concepts were co-created by participants and shared in the form of low fidelity prototypes. The final game concept was based on a consolidation of ideas from the four concepts to align with the participants’ preferences and incorporated training themes. View resource Previous item Next item Game Jam: Co-designing a Game-based Learning Tool on Internet and Social Media Safety with Young People with Learning Disabilities Report 2015 Start Now

The North West Europe Interreg CHANCE Project, completed in May 2022, focused on Hospital at Home innovation for heart failure patients in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. It developed SME capabilities, tested home hospitalisation platforms in three hospitals, and collaborated with DHI to establish global protocols. The NWE-Chance (Interreg NWE) and the Digital Innovation Hub Project impact Supports collaboration and knowledge exchange between SMEs and hospitals Ensures continuous growth of industry-hospital partnerships Delivers an Implementation Roadmap to replicate innovations in other regions and initiate similar projects and living labs The North West Europe Interreg CHANCE Project, completed in May 2022, focused on Hospital at Home innovation for heart failure patients in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. It developed SME capabilities, tested home hospitalisation platforms in three hospitals, and collaborated with DHI to establish global protocols. The North West Europe Interreg CHANCE Project was completed in May 2022. The project focused on Hospital at Home innovation for heart failure patients with partners in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. The project brought stakeholders together to co-create the knowledge needed to enable innovation in-home care to happen in North-West Europe. The project contributed to developing SME capabilities and increasing their involvement in cooperative projects in the region. During the project, two SMEs and one larger company collaborated with three hospitals and two universities to develop and test a home hospitalisation platform. Pilots ran in three different hospitals to test the technical feasibility of the developed technologies and the organisational feasibility of home hospitalisation for heart failure patients. DHI led the Digital Innovation Hub for Home Hospitalisation (DIH) and collaborated with partners to establish protocols, developments and specifications enabling global collaborations in hospital-at-home activities across industry, health services and academia. Summary This Digital Innovation Hub was developed by DHI and was launched to: • Support the collaboration and knowledge exchange between SMEs and hospitals • Ensure continuity and growth of the collaboration between industry and hospitals • Deliver an Implementation Roadmap to multiply the innovations in other regions and initiate similar projects and living labs • Develop an infrastructure to enable knowledge sharing and collaboration to be replicable across other activities such as projects and disease groups of other areas of digital health and care. Impact & value The DHI project was completed in May 2022, after which the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) transitioned into business as usual within DHI. Building on the success of the original project, DIH continues to support wider knowledge sharing across digital health and care communities, projects and engagement activity. This work has since expanded and now represents a core function of the DHI website. It supports a range of dedicated communities and initiatives, including the Digital Mental Health Innovation Cluster, the Rural Centre of Excellence and the Healthy Ageing Innovation Cluster, helping to connect people, share learning and accelerate innovation across the system. Progress to date Next steps Partners Project staff Resources Digital Innovation Hub for Home Hospitalisation (DIH) Previous project Projects index page Next project

Dr Peter FuzesiResearch & Knowledge Management Officer < Return to team Dr Peter Fuzesi Research & Knowledge Management Officer Dr Peter Fuzesi is a social researcher with a background in Medical Sociology, Science, Technology and Society (STS) and Disability Studies. Prior to joining DHI, Peter worked on a number of research projects focusing on the use of assistive and health technologies, issues of inclusion and accessibility, and sustainability in healthcare services In DHI, Peter’s work focused on two areas: enabling and improving the use of data in healthcare, and market access for health and care-related technologies including medical and therapeutic devices, and digital platforms. He uses qualitative, quantitative, and digital methods to answer questions related to these issues. Email LinkedIn Related Projects Next team member Previous team page Team page

The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) is a pivotal force driving NHS reform and transformation in health and social care. Positioned centrally within Scotland's innovation ecosystem, DHI facilitates collaboration between commercial, academic, and healthcare sectors to expedite research and innovation adoption, leveraging its robust delivery history to support the goals outlined in its 10-year strategy. < Return to resources DHI 10 Year Strategy 2024 – 2033: Transforming great ideas into real solutions MacKenzie, M., Hughes, J The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) is a pivotal force driving NHS reform and transformation in health and social care. Positioned centrally within Scotland's innovation ecosystem, DHI facilitates collaboration between commercial, academic, and healthcare sectors to expedite research and innovation adoption, leveraging its robust delivery history to support the goals outlined in its 10-year strategy. View resource Previous item Next item DHI 10 Year Strategy 2024 – 2033: Transforming great ideas into real solutions Report 2024 Start Now

This report reviews digital approaches involving citizens in contact tracing efforts, addressing public health data needs, privacy concerns, technologies, and digital ethics, aiming to inform a consistent approach to digital contact tracing in Scotland, aligning with policy on secure, transparent, participatory, and privacy-respectful data sharing in response to the measures that needed to be put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expert insights and recommendations cover desirable outcomes, secure and privacy-respectful system architecture, communication standards, and ethical challenges to secure public trust, applicable to broader aspects of digital health in Scotland. < Return to resources Use of Participatory Apps in Contact Tracing: Options and Implications for Public Health, Privacy and Trust Buchanan, W., Imran, M., Pagliari, C., Pell, J. & Rimpiläinen, S. This report reviews digital approaches involving citizens in contact tracing efforts, addressing public health data needs, privacy concerns, technologies, and digital ethics, aiming to inform a consistent approach to digital contact tracing in Scotland, aligning with policy on secure, transparent, participatory, and privacy-respectful data sharing in response to the measures that needed to be put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expert insights and recommendations cover desirable outcomes, secure and privacy-respectful system architecture, communication standards, and ethical challenges to secure public trust, applicable to broader aspects of digital health in Scotland. View resource Previous item Next item Use of Participatory Apps in Contact Tracing: Options and Implications for Public Health, Privacy and Trust Report 2020 Start Now

This paper presents a review of different types of Electronic Health Records systems is use around the world in 2015, focusing on countries internationally renowned as forerunners in implementing and using EHR systems, such as Estonia, Finland, Canada, New Zealand and US < Return to resources A Review of Electronic Health Records Systems Around the World Rimpiläinen, Sanna This paper presents a review of different types of Electronic Health Records systems is use around the world in 2015, focusing on countries internationally renowned as forerunners in implementing and using EHR systems, such as Estonia, Finland, Canada, New Zealand and US View resource Previous item Next item A Review of Electronic Health Records Systems Around the World Report 2015 Start Now

Dr Petra WilsonBoard Chair < Return to team Dr Petra Wilson Board Chair Petra has over 25 years’ experience in the health and life sciences sector, ranging across academia, public sector, industry and the not-for-profit sector. In 2016 she set up Health Connect Partners, a boutique consulting firm which provides advisory services on digital health to organisations in healthcare and life sciences. Health Connect Partners is also engaged in a number of EU funded research projects in the digital health sector, working in partnership with the Institute for Innovation through Health Data. Petra’s career began in 1992 when after completing a PhD in Public Health Law, she worked for Nottingham University in research and teaching before being seconded to the European Commission where she was for 8 years in the digital health unit, supporting early work on Electronic Health Records and Connected Medical Devices. She then moved to the private sector, as a senior director in Cisco’s public health team, before moving to lead the International Diabetes Federation as its CEO. This latter experience developed her skills both in the subject matter of diabetes and in lobbying for the rights of diabetes patients at the highest levels of EU policy making. The thread running through all her work is to harness the power of data and digital tools in health to drive more accessible, resilient and efficient health systems that can put patients in the driving seat of their care. This is the passion and engagement she brings to her work with a wide range of clients in the healthcare and life sciences sector to support them in understanding the implications of EU policy for their business and helping position them as core partners in EU health systems. Petra also holds an advisor role with the digital health team at WHO Europe, and serves as an editorial Board Member of Data Saves Lives run by the European Patients Forum, and Member of the Digital Health Board Committee of EURODIS, the EU Rare Diseases Organisation. Email LinkedIn Related Projects Next team member Previous team page Team page

This blog post discusses the sustainability of health and care services is increasingly expected to be achievable only with digitally supported change. Relating to the emerging digital capabilities discussed in the previous blog post, the DHI Demonstration & Simulation Environment is focused on three service redesign pillars. < Return to resources Service Redesign Pillars Chute, Chaloner This blog post discusses the sustainability of health and care services is increasingly expected to be achievable only with digitally supported change. Relating to the emerging digital capabilities discussed in the previous blog post, the DHI Demonstration & Simulation Environment is focused on three service redesign pillars. View resource Previous item Next item Service Redesign Pillars Blog post 2018 Start Now

The DHI exchange is an environment to help drive knowledge exchange around digital health and social care innovation. Recognised as one of Scotland’s key assets, it supports the transformation of health and social care services while promoting Scotland globally. DHI exchange The DHI exchange is an environment to help drive knowledge exchange around digital health and social care innovation. Recognised as one of Scotland’s key assets, it supports the transformation of health and social care services while promoting Scotland globally. It comprises a demonstration and simulation environment where our team facilitates the integration of new digital technologies into health and social care services, offering a person-centred data-sharing infrastructure to innovators. This creates commercial opportunities and helps to enhance healthcare services both locally and internationally. " Make the person the point of integration, so they only have to tell their story once! " “We must transform the narrative surrounding digital health and care innovation, shifting it from an expenditure consideration to an invaluable investment in our future wellbeing.” Professor George Crooks OBE Chief Executive Officer Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre Our experience The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) has collaborated in 130+ digital innovation projects , developing 50+ digital products or live services, and producing more than 350 design and market research reports . Our experience shows the need to move from individual apps to reusable platforms that support resilience and flexibility . The DHI Exchange now focuses on offering generic platforms for various suppliers and services, such as person-centred data-sharing infrastructure (Health Data Exchanges, Personal Data Stores, Citizen Wallets) and decision support infrastructure (rules engines, content libraries). The infrastructure we procure , develop and support is co-designed with Scottish citizens and meets the common requirements across different groups and services. Demonstration environment We host meetings, co-design activities, and live demonstrations to showcase the art of the possible for select audiences around key health and social care challenges. Register your interest, and we’ll notify you when our next block of sessions are available! Simulation environment Simulation refers to funded projects where we collaborate with developers to integrate their products and services within these new types of generic architecture. Using well-recognised standards, we offer a suite of APIs, along with documentation and support, to facilitate integration with our infrastructure. Initially, access is provided through sandbox environments , using simulated data to demonstrate integrated digital service delivery. Successfully demonstrating your product or service in this ecosystem opens up potential collaboration opportunities. Prospective partners may wish to do this because: You have a commercially available product and want to demonstrate how you can support integration, to generate a case study or evidence of collaborative working You are looking to work with Scottish health and care organisations who are using our infrastructure live and want to de-risk your product by demonstrating integration You have a funding bid or proposal, and need to show a route to integration, a route to market, or need our help to support research, innovation or development activity Demonstration & simulation Mon 30 Nov Introduction to the Demonstration & Simulation Environment (DSE) / Inovo Building RSVP 30 Nov 2026, 13:00 – 15:00 Inovo Building, 121 George St, Glasgow G1 1RD, UK Join us for a live demonstration to showcase the art of the possible for select audiences around key health and social care challenges! Mon 21 Dec Introduction to the Demonstration & Simulation Environment (DSE) / Inovo Building RSVP 21 Dec 2026, 13:00 – 15:00 Inovo Building, 121 George St, Glasgow G1 1RD, UK Join us for a live demonstration to showcase the art of the possible for select audiences around key health and social care challenges! Interested and want to attend a demonstration?

Design innovation aims to tackle complex societal challenges through new design practices and bespoke methods of engagement (McAra-McWilliam, 2012). Creative collaboration is a core aspect of design innovation practice, involving diverse stakeholders including academic, business, and civic partners, and importantly end users within the design process. Consequently, the focus of design has shifted from the artefact or outcome to the design of an open and participative process that relies on the direct contextual insight of participants, their creativity and lived experience, and is inclusive of a multiplicity of perspectives. Through examples, we discuss the tools, artefacts and activities that support participants to meaningfully engage with ideas, and strategies for curating groups and managing collaboration. We share design learning regarding engagement and the resulting impact on people, processes, and outcomes, and consider how this approach may be applied in other contexts to foster engagement. < Return to resources Fostering engagement through creative collaboration Teal, Gemma and French, Tara and Hepburn, Leigh-Anne and Raman, Sneha Design innovation aims to tackle complex societal challenges through new design practices and bespoke methods of engagement (McAra-McWilliam, 2012). Creative collaboration is a core aspect of design innovation practice, involving diverse stakeholders including academic, business, and civic partners, and importantly end users within the design process. Consequently, the focus of design has shifted from the artefact or outcome to the design of an open and participative process that relies on the direct contextual insight of participants, their creativity and lived experience, and is inclusive of a multiplicity of perspectives. Through examples, we discuss the tools, artefacts and activities that support participants to meaningfully engage with ideas, and strategies for curating groups and managing collaboration. We share design learning regarding engagement and the resulting impact on people, processes, and outcomes, and consider how this approach may be applied in other contexts to foster engagement. View resource Previous item Next item Fostering engagement through creative collaboration Paper 2016 Start Now

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is Scotland’s premier independent media platform and events organizer dedicated to the digital transformation of the public sector, technology, and innovation. It connects government, local councils, the NHS, academia, and the broader tech industry. Visit Partner's website Previous Item Next Item

This document contains microlearning units to explore the impact of digitalisation on the construction sector, focusing particularly on SMART Homes. Created by lecturers involved in the FUTUREquipped project, these learning materials cover topics such as Building Information Modelling, Domestic Building Management Systems, and Energy-efficient housing. All materials are accessible to learners under the Creative Commons license. < Return to resources Construction Sector: Learning Materials - FUTUREquipped Project FUTUREquipped Project This document contains microlearning units to explore the impact of digitalisation on the construction sector, focusing particularly on SMART Homes. Created by lecturers involved in the FUTUREquipped project, these learning materials cover topics such as Building Information Modelling, Domestic Building Management Systems, and Energy-efficient housing. All materials are accessible to learners under the Creative Commons license. View resource Previous item Next item Construction Sector: Learning Materials - FUTUREquipped Project Report 2019 Start Now

This is a short research report on the economic cost of low back pain. Back pain can arise suddenly or gradually, often due to work-related factors like fixed positions or repetitive movements. Poor posture, uncomfortable positions, and awkward movements can also contribute. Low back pain, or lumbago, is the most prevalent type, with 95% affecting the lower back. Chronic low back pain is a frequent complaint in pain clinics. < Return to resources Cost of Low Back Pain Rimpiläinen, Sanna This is a short research report on the economic cost of low back pain. Back pain can arise suddenly or gradually, often due to work-related factors like fixed positions or repetitive movements. Poor posture, uncomfortable positions, and awkward movements can also contribute. Low back pain, or lumbago, is the most prevalent type, with 95% affecting the lower back. Chronic low back pain is a frequent complaint in pain clinics. View resource Previous item Next item Cost of Low Back Pain Report 2016 Start Now

The Rural Centre of Excellence (RCE) in Moray, a pivotal Moray Growth Deal project, boasts cutting-edge facilities and cloud infrastructure supported by a £5 million UK Government investment. Aligned with the digital health and care agenda, the RCE aims to revitalize health services and spur economic recovery in Moray through research and innovation. This report provides an overview of education and training offerings in Moray pertinent to the digital health and care sector. < Return to resources Digital Health and Care Education and Training Provision in Moray Thomas, J., Rimpiläinen, S. The Rural Centre of Excellence (RCE) in Moray, a pivotal Moray Growth Deal project, boasts cutting-edge facilities and cloud infrastructure supported by a £5 million UK Government investment. Aligned with the digital health and care agenda, the RCE aims to revitalize health services and spur economic recovery in Moray through research and innovation. This report provides an overview of education and training offerings in Moray pertinent to the digital health and care sector. View resource Previous item Next item Digital Health and Care Education and Training Provision in Moray Report 2023 Start Now

Mental health is a complex, dynamic challenge and to support resilience and wellbeing in our communities it is evident from our research this requires a joined-up approach and shared vision. To get a complete picture of the landscape the DHI team engaged in interviews, workshops, and group discussions with a range of stakeholders from healthcare, community and third sector services. The following themes emerged from extensive stakeholder engagement as key needs to be accounted for to enable gold standard community mental health and wellbeing. < Return to resources Community Mental Health Interim Report Brooks, Elizabeth and Stengs, Grant Mental health is a complex, dynamic challenge and to support resilience and wellbeing in our communities it is evident from our research this requires a joined-up approach and shared vision. To get a complete picture of the landscape the DHI team engaged in interviews, workshops, and group discussions with a range of stakeholders from healthcare, community and third sector services. The following themes emerged from extensive stakeholder engagement as key needs to be accounted for to enable gold standard community mental health and wellbeing. View resource Previous item Next item Community Mental Health Interim Report Report 2020 Start Now

Smart Housing Proof of Concept - Information Gathering Questionnaire Insert descriptive text Contact Details Contact name* Email address* Phone number* Proposal Details Are you responding as a single organisation, or are you part of a consortium?* Single organisation Consortium Which aspect are you responding to?* Both construction and digital Construction only Digital only Please highlight any past activities which are relevant to this call.* Please outline your experience and capability in the UK.* This call is classed as R&D - please explain how you would be expanding your knowledge by undertaking this work.* To successfully address this call, do you require partners to fill skill gaps?* Yes No Have you previously completed any work relating to net zero initiatives?* Yes No Do you anticipate bringing in-kind resources?* Yes No We are looking for digital tools which have a Technical Readiness Level (TRL) of at least 7. Is this something you can offer?* Yes No What is your interest in applying for this work, and how do you think it will help your business?* This innovation call will be delivered over the next 12 months (deadline: April 2026) - can you demonstrate that you have the capability and capacity to deliver?* Submit