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SSERC, formally constituted as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and a registered Scottish Charity set up for the benefit of Scottish Education. All 32 Scottish Local Authorities are members of the company. SSERC offers a broad portfolio of services, principally in support of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas of the curriculum, which are not available from any other source and which can be broken down into three main stands of activity:- Provision of Professional Learning (PL) for early years practitioners, primary and secondary teachers and school and college technicians and childminders The Advisory Service Wider STEM engagement activities including the Young STEM Leader Programme, management of the STEM Ambassadors in Scotland Hub, ENTHUSE Partnerships, the Scottish STEM Placements Programme and Education/Industry Partnerships. Visit Partner's website Previous Item Next Item

Digital Empathy employed a participatory design approach to investigate the role of empathy within the emergent and future models of digital healthcare services, such as Video Conferencing (VC) consultations. The project had a particular focus on delivering care for people living with long-term conditions, e.g., diabetes. Several factors have an impact on empathy, such as patient pre-conceptions and other individual characteristics, the corresponding behaviours and beliefs of the clinician, and the setting of the consultation. The aim of the Experience Labs was to explore whether people’s perception of empathy changes in a digital context, and to identify factors that are deemed important to empathic VC consultation. The project was carried out in collaboration with the University of the Highlands and Islands. Two Experience Labs were held across three locations in the North of Scotland between February and June 2016. This report presents the findings from Lab activities. < Return to resources Digital Empathy: Role of Empathy in Digital Health Interactions Raman, Sneha and Blom, Jeroen and Bradley, Jay Digital Empathy employed a participatory design approach to investigate the role of empathy within the emergent and future models of digital healthcare services, such as Video Conferencing (VC) consultations. The project had a particular focus on delivering care for people living with long-term conditions, e.g., diabetes. Several factors have an impact on empathy, such as patient pre-conceptions and other individual characteristics, the corresponding behaviours and beliefs of the clinician, and the setting of the consultation. The aim of the Experience Labs was to explore whether people’s perception of empathy changes in a digital context, and to identify factors that are deemed important to empathic VC consultation. The project was carried out in collaboration with the University of the Highlands and Islands. Two Experience Labs were held across three locations in the North of Scotland between February and June 2016. This report presents the findings from Lab activities. View resource Previous item Next item

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

In 2022, the Scottish Government commissioned DHI to establish and oversee the DMHIC, which was formally launched in March 2022 as a hub to support Action 15.7 of Mental Health – Scotland’s Transition and Recovery Plan within the context of Digital Innovation. This report, prepared by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI), presents the progress of Scotland’s Digital Mental Health Innovation Cluster (DMHIC) for the period from August 2023 to July 2024. < Return to resources Digital Mental Health Innovation Cluster - Annual Report 2023-2024 Boyle, Joanne and Whyte, Anna In 2022, the Scottish Government commissioned DHI to establish and oversee the DMHIC, which was formally launched in March 2022 as a hub to support Action 15.7 of Mental Health – Scotland’s Transition and Recovery Plan within the context of Digital Innovation. This report, prepared by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI), presents the progress of Scotland’s Digital Mental Health Innovation Cluster (DMHIC) for the period from August 2023 to July 2024. View resource Previous item Next item

This document describes an all-day Exploratory event held for the National Services Scotland (NSS) Practitioner Services team Friday 1st April 2016. < Return to resources Exploratory on e-Prescription in Scotland Wood, Aaron and Rimpiläinen, Sanna This document describes an all-day Exploratory event held for the National Services Scotland (NSS) Practitioner Services team Friday 1st April 2016. View resource Previous item Next item

Development and testing of a digital enabled Community Occupational Therapy (OT) pathway using digital tools such as AskSARA to support self-assessment, improve triage and reduce waiting times. < Return to projects Living Lab 2B: Community Occupational Therapy Pathway Project impact Reduces waiting times and improves access to support by enabling earlier intervention and self-management for people with low to moderate needs Frees up clinical capacity by shifting administrative tasks to digital workflows, allowing Occupational Therapists to focus on direct patient care. Improves service user experience through clearer information, better triage, and more transparent access to the right level of care at the right time. Development and testing of a digital enabled Community Occupational Therapy (OT) pathway using digital tools such as AskSARA to support self-assessment, improve triage and reduce waiting times. This project is developing a digitally enabled Community Occupational Therapy Pathway in Moray to reduce long waiting times and improve access to support. By introducing tools like AskSARA for self-assessment and digital triage, it aims to streamline referrals, support self-management, and create a more efficient, person-centred service. Summary The project has potential to deliver significant benefits across the health and care system, including: • Earlier intervention and prevention: Enables individuals to access advice and solutions sooner, reducing deterioration in functional ability. • Improved service efficiency: Digital triage and structured data capture reduce administrative burden and streamline referral processes. • Better use of workforce capacity: Occupational Therapists can spend more time delivering clinical care rather than administrative tasks. • Enhanced user experience: Clearer information, improved access routes, and self-management tools empower service users. • System level value: Supports integration, data sharing, and more consistent decision making across services. Impact & value Extensive stakeholder engagement has taken place with Community Occupational Therapy teams, partner organisations, and service users to better understand current needs, challenges, and opportunities. Initial research, including an online survey, explored digital readiness, barriers to adoption, and areas where technology could add value. This work identified several key system challenges, including rising demand for services, workforce constraints, long waiting times, and inefficient referral processes. In response, early testing of digital tools such as AskSARA demonstrated strong potential to support self-management and improve access to information and advice. These insights informed the development and piloting of a redesigned pathway that incorporates digital triage and a red/amber/green prioritisation model to support more effective referral management and resource allocation. Evaluation is continuing, with a focus on safety, usability, and outcomes to guide further refinement and future implementation. Progress to date Next steps Partners Project staff Resources Living Lab 2 Poster Participatory Design of Innovative Services in Moray.pdf Tell Your Story Once- poster.pdf Previous project Projects index page Next project

A collaborative, evidence led project focused on strengthening the digital skills pipeline in health and social care across Moray. By connecting partners, mapping needs and developing flexible micro-credential learning, the project supports workforce confidence, capability and career pathways in digital health and care. < Return to projects Building Digital Health and Care Skills in Moray: Strengthening the Skills Pipeline Project impact Improved workforce confidence and readiness for digital health and care transformation through practical, accessible training Strengthened collaboration across 40+ organisations, reducing duplication and creating a strong connected skills pipeline. Increased accessibility to flexible digital training through funded micro-credentials, helping staff build confidence whilst working. A collaborative, evidence led project focused on strengthening the digital skills pipeline in health and social care across Moray. By connecting partners, mapping needs and developing flexible micro-credential learning, the project supports workforce confidence, capability and career pathways in digital health and care. This project addresses the digital skills gaps in Moray’s health and social care workforce by taking a system-wide, locally informed approach. This has been achieved through engagement with over 100 stakeholders, with the initiative mapping existing provision, identifying barriers, and developing targeted learning opportunities. The work has highlighted the need to connect fragmented education and training pathways whilst embedding digital skills more consistently across all stages, from early education to workforce development. Summary The project has delivered both immediate and long-term value by focusing on people, skills and collaboration. It has improved access to training through £40,000 investment in flexible online learning, including micro-credentials and CPD-aligned courses. By linking education providers, employers and third sector partners, the project created clearer pathways into digital roles, and supported workforce confidence in adopting digital tools. This approach ensured that learning was relatable with the real-world, increasing relevance and uptake. Impact & value Bringing together perspectives from across the health, social care, education, and community sectors, the initiative engaged more than 100 stakeholders to better understand workforce development needs and opportunities. Partnerships were established with over 40 organisations to help align skills development efforts and create a more coordinated approach to building digital capability. Workforce surveys and mapping of existing education provision were undertaken to identify key gaps, priorities, and areas for improvement. These insights informed the development and delivery of flexible micro-credentials focused on practical digital skills, enabling learners to access targeted training that meets evolving workforce demands. The programme has also contributed to curriculum design and facilitated knowledge exchange activities, helping to strengthen long-term skills pathways and support future workforce resilience. Progress to date Next steps Partners Project staff Resources Building Digital Health & Care Skills in Moray poster Previous project Projects index page Next project

An immersive learning project exploring how XR can support suicide-prevention responses while strengthening workforce mental health and resilience. < Return to projects SAFXR: Safety Planning for Suicide Prevention XR Project impact SAFXR strengthens confidence, consistency and compassion in responses to suicidal distress through safe, immersive XR rehearsal. It combines evidence-informed safety planning with scenario-based learning to support responder capability and workforce wellbeing. If successful, SAFXR could inform future suicide-prevention training across health, social care, education, emergency and community settings. An immersive learning project exploring how XR can support suicide-prevention responses while strengthening workforce mental health and resilience. SAFXR (Safety Planning for Suicide Prevention XR) is a collaborative project led by Care Reality in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland, the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, and the University of Glasgow. The project explores how immersive, scenario-based learning can support professionals responding to people experiencing suicidal thoughts, while also supporting their own mental health and resilience. SAFXR is currently in active co-design, with people with lived experience, frontline practitioners and mental health specialists shaping the learning content, scenarios and emotional safety considerations. Summary Responding to someone who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts is one of the most challenging situations many professionals will encounter in their work. These conversations are complex, emotionally demanding and often take place with little opportunity to practise or reflect in advance. SAFXR explores how immersive, scenario-based learning could help address this gap. By creating realistic XR experiences, the project aims to provide a safe space for professionals to rehearse responses, build confidence in safety-planning approaches and navigate uncertainty without real-world risk. The project also recognises the impact this work can have on those providing support. Workforce mental health and resilience are central considerations, with the learning experience designed to encourage reflection rather than assessment. Co-design sits at the heart of SAFXR. People with lived experience, alongside practitioners and mental health specialists, are shaping the content and emotional tone of the scenarios to ensure the learning feels authentic, respectful and grounded in real practice. Aligned with Scotland’s Creating Hope Together strategy and supported through Innovate UK funding, SAFXR aims to contribute to responsible and ethical approaches to suicide-prevention education. Impact & value Development of SAFXR began in July 2025 and the project is currently in its co-design phase. So far, work has focused on understanding the real-world contexts in which suicide-prevention conversations take place, and how these can be represented safely and meaningfully in an immersive environment. Co-design sessions have brought together lived experience contributors, practitioners and researchers to explore what good, supportive learning should feel like — not just what it should teach. This phase has included early scenario storyboarding, user-experience planning and careful consideration of emotional safety and trauma-informed design. Insights from research and practice are being used to guide decisions about narrative structure, pacing and interaction. At the same time, the partners are exploring how Care Reality’s FLO XR platform can best support these aims, ensuring that technical development remains led by learning, ethical and user needs. Progress to date The next stage of SAFXR will focus on moving from design into early testing. Initial testing of prototype scenarios is planned for 2026, including activity within the University of Glasgow’s ARC XR Lab. This will help explore usability, emotional safety and how the learning experience is received by users. Learning from this phase will inform further refinement of the scenarios and supporting materials. Subject to progress, wider evaluation across different sectors is anticipated as the project continues to develop. Further updates will be shared as SAFXR progresses, with collaboration between partners and contributors remaining central to shaping the project’s direction. Next steps Partners Project staff Resources Previous project Projects index page Next project

This research report, conducted in collaboration with Skills Development Scotland, examines the required skills, career pathways, and educational opportunities across six critical occupational categories - Software Developers, Product Owners, Implementation Facilitators, Knowledge Engineers, Health Data Analysts, and Cyber Security Specialists - in digital health and care in Scotland. < Return to resources Spotlight on Careers in Digital Health and Care: Addressing Future Workforce Development Needs in Digital Health and Care Rimpiläinen, Sanna and Morrison, Ciarán and Nielsen, Søren Lange and Rooney, Laura This research report, conducted in collaboration with Skills Development Scotland, examines the required skills, career pathways, and educational opportunities across six critical occupational categories - Software Developers, Product Owners, Implementation Facilitators, Knowledge Engineers, Health Data Analysts, and Cyber Security Specialists - in digital health and care in Scotland. View resource Previous item Next item

Censis, the Scotland 5G Centre, and DHI conducted a feasibility study in Moray to explore 5G opportunities for Health and Care services. The study identified key success factors for a community health network and highlighted the potential for service enhancement through 5G technology. < Return to projects 5G Feasibility Study Project impact Feasibility study developed to identify 5G opportunities The study identified key success factors for a community health network showcasing service enhancements through 5G communications Censis, the Scotland 5G Centre, and DHI conducted a feasibility study in Moray to explore 5G opportunities for Health and Care services. The study identified key success factors for a community health network and highlighted the potential for service enhancement through 5G technology. Censis partnered with the Scotland 5G Centre and DHI to undertake a high-level feasibility study focussed on the Moray region to understand the potential opportunities for Health and Care services if 5G connectivity was enabled. The study has identified the critical success factors for a community-level health network designed to demonstrate the potential for service enhancement using 5G communications. This project was completed and closed in Autumn 2021. Summary Impact & value Progress to date Next steps Partners Project staff Resources Associate feature: Changing the dynamics of 5G rollout (Hollyrood article) Previous project Projects index page Next project

The Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) is a cutting-edge university and the home for creative thinkers, designers, and innovators. Located in Dubai, a leading global destination for innovation, DIDI Dubai offers the first multidisciplinary design degree in the region at the intersection of three educational pillars: visual literacy, technological fluency, and strategic proficiency. For DIDI, design and innovation are the keys to success in today’s world. The university empowers students to create and conceive solutions that add value and reshape the future, socially, digitally, and creatively. Visit Partner's website Previous Item Next Item

Charline RousselResearch Associate < Return to team Charline Roussel Research Associate Charline is a Design Researcher and Designer. Her expertise lies in participatory design. She has extensive experience designing closely with communities in Scotland to co-create place strategies, heritage trails, and digital tools (websites and apps) that reflect local needs and participate in meaningful placemaking. She holds a Master’s degree in Product Design from the School of Decorative Arts in France and studied product design at the Glasgow School of Art. She is interested in empowering individuals through thoughtful, inclusive, and delightful designs and processes. She focuses on the AI-supported image analysis in large bowel camera capsule endoscopy (AICE) project, funded by Horizon Europe and led by a partnership of researchers and experts across 12 European organisations. She is designing and evaluating a user-facing app to support the patient pathway using participatory design methods. Email LinkedIn Related Projects Next team member Previous team page Team page

In the UK, three out of five people are expected to become caregivers, yet research highlights significant challenges, termed "carer burden," affecting caregivers' health and wellbeing. This high-level horizon scanning research explores available digital solutions in Scotland and the UK aimed at supporting caregivers, addressing both formal and informal care needs. < Return to resources A Review of Digital Technology Solutions to Support Caregivers Thomas, J. In the UK, three out of five people are expected to become caregivers, yet research highlights significant challenges, termed "carer burden," affecting caregivers' health and wellbeing. This high-level horizon scanning research explores available digital solutions in Scotland and the UK aimed at supporting caregivers, addressing both formal and informal care needs. View resource Previous item Next item

DHI Year 5 annual report covers the main activities and overall achievements and impacts. < Return to resources Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre Phase 2 - Year 5 Annual Report (August 2023 to July 2024) Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre DHI Year 5 annual report covers the main activities and overall achievements and impacts. View resource Previous item Next item

This report presents recommendations for a sustainable service vision for Trauma and Orthopaedics in Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The recommendations are the results of three design-led workshops with GG&C regional stakeholders, facilitated by the DHI Insights team. The report presents the supporting background information and illustrations of the DHI processes undertaken across the three workshops. The report concludes with a summary of key recommendations and associated timelines, including proposed improvements to the service which could support changes to the service model(s). < Return to resources NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde: Trauma & Orthopaedics Brooks, E., Binnie, C., Blank, L., Porteous, A., Schauberger, U., Smith, P., Watchorn, T. This report presents recommendations for a sustainable service vision for Trauma and Orthopaedics in Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The recommendations are the results of three design-led workshops with GG&C regional stakeholders, facilitated by the DHI Insights team. The report presents the supporting background information and illustrations of the DHI processes undertaken across the three workshops. The report concludes with a summary of key recommendations and associated timelines, including proposed improvements to the service which could support changes to the service model(s). View resource Previous item Next item

Co-design is becoming a well-known term outside of the design domain, reflecting a growing awareness of the potential and value of applying a design-led process to address complex social and systemic issues. However, an increase in the adoption of ‘co-design’ methods has also led to multiple and sometimes conflicting understanding of what it means and how it is enacted in practice. ‘What does genuine co-design mean? What does it look like? And how does it make a difference?’ – we have been exploring these questions through our participatory design practice and research spanning over seven years. In this chapter, we share our learnings and reflections on genuine co-design, using examples to articulate characteristics of co-design and conditions for enabling genuine participation in the co-design process. We invite further dialogue with the wider practice and research communities to develop a shared understanding of what is (and what is not) genuine co-design. < Return to resources Towards a shared understanding of genuine co-design with people with lived experience: reflections from co-designing for relational and transformational experiences in health and social care in the UK Raman, Sneha and French, Tara Co-design is becoming a well-known term outside of the design domain, reflecting a growing awareness of the potential and value of applying a design-led process to address complex social and systemic issues. However, an increase in the adoption of ‘co-design’ methods has also led to multiple and sometimes conflicting understanding of what it means and how it is enacted in practice. ‘What does genuine co-design mean? What does it look like? And how does it make a difference?’ – we have been exploring these questions through our participatory design practice and research spanning over seven years. In this chapter, we share our learnings and reflections on genuine co-design, using examples to articulate characteristics of co-design and conditions for enabling genuine participation in the co-design process. We invite further dialogue with the wider practice and research communities to develop a shared understanding of what is (and what is not) genuine co-design. View resource Previous item Next item

After completing the Maker's Academy software development course in 2016, I embarked on my journey as a self-titled "Clinician Software Developer" in 2017, aiming to revolutionize healthcare technology. My initial project involved digitizing the "heart attack" treatment pathway in the Emergency Department, but encountered compatibility issues between browsers, highlighting the challenges of translating software across different platforms. < Return to resources Clinical Risk Management Training with NHS Digital: A Review Barry, Michael After completing the Maker's Academy software development course in 2016, I embarked on my journey as a self-titled "Clinician Software Developer" in 2017, aiming to revolutionize healthcare technology. My initial project involved digitizing the "heart attack" treatment pathway in the Emergency Department, but encountered compatibility issues between browsers, highlighting the challenges of translating software across different platforms. View resource Previous item Next item

Professor George Crooks OBEChief Executive Officer < Return to team Professor George Crooks OBE Chief Executive Officer Professor George Crooks is currently the Chief Executive of the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre, Scotland’s national innovation centre for digital health and care. He leads an organisation that is tasked with delivering innovation in digital health and care that will help Scotland’s people to live longer, healthier lives, deliver sustainable health and care services for the future and create economic benefits for Scotland. He was previously the Medical Director for NHS 24, the Scottish Ambulance Service and Director of the Scottish Centre for Telehealth & Telecare. George was a General Medical Practitioner for 23 years in Aberdeen latterly combining that role as Director of Primary Care for Grampian. George is on the Board of the European Connected Health Alliance and is a past president of the European Health Telematics Association. He was an assessor for the European Commission on programmes involving digital health and care provision, led the Integrated Care Action Group in the European Innovation Partnership for Active and Healthy Ageing and is a member of the WHO roster of experts for digital health. He has been an advisor to several European governments and global organisations including the World Bank on digital health and care. He is an advisor to Innovate UK for its Industrial Grand Challenge programme for Health Ageing. He is also an adjunct Professor of Telehealth at the University of Southern Denmark. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List 2011 for services to healthcare. Email LinkedIn Related Projects Next team member Previous team page Team page

Person-centred Records is a collaboration between NHS Grampian and the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI). NHS Grampian has committed to the implementation of in-patient electronic record keeping that will provide a safer and more effective service for patients admitted to their hospitals. We worked with NHS Grampian hospital staff across all disciplines to design a single, person-centred, multi-disciplinary, electronic record that will follow the patient on their journey from admission to discharge. We employed design innovation methodologies to ensure that the recommended solutions were achieved with the person (patients and professionals) at the centre. < Return to resources Person-centred Records Bradley, Jay, Bruce, Angela and Rossi, G. Person-centred Records is a collaboration between NHS Grampian and the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI). NHS Grampian has committed to the implementation of in-patient electronic record keeping that will provide a safer and more effective service for patients admitted to their hospitals. We worked with NHS Grampian hospital staff across all disciplines to design a single, person-centred, multi-disciplinary, electronic record that will follow the patient on their journey from admission to discharge. We employed design innovation methodologies to ensure that the recommended solutions were achieved with the person (patients and professionals) at the centre. View resource Previous item Next item

The Rural Centre of Excellence for Digital Health and Care (RCE) ran a co-design and development project in Moray during 2023-2025. Together with citizens, staff, and third-sector groups the project aimed to understand current challenges with health and care needs and explore new ways to deliver important services using digital solutions. People seeking support want a better experience when using services, easier access, quicker decisions, and to be listened to. Two digital tools were co-designed, developed, and tested with staff and citizens in the Moray area to improve the experience of older people and unpaid carers looking for support. This report details the development journey for these tools and the insights the project uncovered. < Return to resources Care in Place – User Experience Evaluation Report Harkis, M., Chute, C., Bruce, A., Joseph, S.L., & Bradley, J. The Rural Centre of Excellence for Digital Health and Care (RCE) ran a co-design and development project in Moray during 2023-2025. Together with citizens, staff, and third-sector groups the project aimed to understand current challenges with health and care needs and explore new ways to deliver important services using digital solutions. People seeking support want a better experience when using services, easier access, quicker decisions, and to be listened to. Two digital tools were co-designed, developed, and tested with staff and citizens in the Moray area to improve the experience of older people and unpaid carers looking for support. This report details the development journey for these tools and the insights the project uncovered. View resource Previous item Next item