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While there are examples of resources that promote online safety for people with learning disabilities, young people, carers, and practitioners in one area of Scotland have indicated the necessity to have a centralised and interactive resource to encourage people to develop online safety skills and understand how to stay healthy and safe online. These are primarily physical resources such as worksheets, slides, and booklets with limited interactive content. In this paper we discuss an alternative approach that uses an immersive games-based learning tool to train and influence the behaviour of young people with learning disabilities. The online safety tool has potential to help community, acute health/social workers or guardians educate and monitor the online vulnerability and safety of a young person with a learning disability. < Return to resources Using Games Based Learning to Support Young People with Learning Disabilities Stay Safe Online Usoro, Idong, and Connolly, Thomas and Raman, Sneha and French, Tara and Caulfield, Stuart While there are examples of resources that promote online safety for people with learning disabilities, young people, carers, and practitioners in one area of Scotland have indicated the necessity to have a centralised and interactive resource to encourage people to develop online safety skills and understand how to stay healthy and safe online. These are primarily physical resources such as worksheets, slides, and booklets with limited interactive content. In this paper we discuss an alternative approach that uses an immersive games-based learning tool to train and influence the behaviour of young people with learning disabilities. The online safety tool has potential to help community, acute health/social workers or guardians educate and monitor the online vulnerability and safety of a young person with a learning disability. View resource Previous item Next item

The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) collaborated with the Scottish Government to assist the Adult Mental Health Collaborative by leading workshops and activities aimed at improving mental health services. Specifically, they organized a workshop during the Mental Health Strategy National Forum focusing on defining "gold standard" community mental health and wellbeing, utilising tools developed through stakeholder interviews and meetings. With approximately 70 participants, the workshop aimed to address key challenges and relationships in implementing optimal mental health services, and the findings will be submitted to the Scottish Government for potential integration into the adult mental health collaborative. < Return to resources Community Mental Health and Wellbeing: What Does Gold Standard Look Like? Design Workshop Report Digital Health & Care Institute (DHI) & Crooks, G. (ed.) The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) collaborated with the Scottish Government to assist the Adult Mental Health Collaborative by leading workshops and activities aimed at improving mental health services. Specifically, they organized a workshop during the Mental Health Strategy National Forum focusing on defining "gold standard" community mental health and wellbeing, utilising tools developed through stakeholder interviews and meetings. With approximately 70 participants, the workshop aimed to address key challenges and relationships in implementing optimal mental health services, and the findings will be submitted to the Scottish Government for potential integration into the adult mental health collaborative. View resource Previous item Next item

Shirley SharpOffice Manager & Personal Assistant to the CEO < Return to team Shirley Sharp Office Manager & Personal Assistant to the CEO Shirley provides comprehensive office management and professional PA/ administrative services to our Chair and CEO. She contributes to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the DHI, ensuring that all duties are carried out with the appropriate degree of tact, confidentiality and responsibility. Shirley has over 30 years’ experience working within the Public sector, most of this with frontline services within the NHS, providing effective and efficient support to Chief Executives and Senior Directors with operational responsibility across the acute secondary care sector. Email LinkedIn Related Projects Next team member Previous team page Team page

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

A key strand of the Scottish Access Collaborative (SAC)’s work is the delivery of the Specialty Sub-Group programme, in which a range of experts in clinical specialties undertake a cycle of design-led workshops with the support of the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI). DHI was commissioned to design workshops aimed at producing high-level mapping of each clinical area and identifying clinically led and patient-centred sustainable improvements. The findings from these workshops will form the basis of a speciality-led Access Collaborative programme delivering solutions to help scheduled care services sustainably meet the challenges of the future. < Return to resources Scottish Access Collaborative Specialty Series Report Porteous, A., Blank, L., Schauberger, U., Smith, P., Brooks, E. A key strand of the Scottish Access Collaborative (SAC)’s work is the delivery of the Specialty Sub-Group programme, in which a range of experts in clinical specialties undertake a cycle of design-led workshops with the support of the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI). DHI was commissioned to design workshops aimed at producing high-level mapping of each clinical area and identifying clinically led and patient-centred sustainable improvements. The findings from these workshops will form the basis of a speciality-led Access Collaborative programme delivering solutions to help scheduled care services sustainably meet the challenges of the future. View resource Previous item Next item

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

The reports cover a wide range of topics related to MyDiabetesMyWay (MDMW), including patient portals, e-learning hubs, communication tools, risk modeling for care planning, medication coaching, multimedia resources, diabetes education promotion, tele-pharmacy, medication understanding, personalized information delivery, physical activity promotion, remote foot ulcer management, diabetic foot screening technology, HbA1c testing, decision support for exercise, structured education, electronic health records uptake, teleclinics, diabetes simulation games, automated glucose data, inpatient care integration, innovative models of care, remote clinic consultations, and primary care outreach and education. < Return to resources Innovation in Diabetes: Ideas and Initiatives Wake, Deborah and Smith, Diane and Cumming, Grahame and Charlton, Jacqui and Macrury, Sandra and Cunningham, Scott and Williamson, Scott and Birnie, Steve and Ritchie, Stuart and Kennon, Brian and Shand, Hillary and Dodds, George and Phillip, Sam The reports cover a wide range of topics related to MyDiabetesMyWay (MDMW), including patient portals, e-learning hubs, communication tools, risk modeling for care planning, medication coaching, multimedia resources, diabetes education promotion, tele-pharmacy, medication understanding, personalized information delivery, physical activity promotion, remote foot ulcer management, diabetic foot screening technology, HbA1c testing, decision support for exercise, structured education, electronic health records uptake, teleclinics, diabetes simulation games, automated glucose data, inpatient care integration, innovative models of care, remote clinic consultations, and primary care outreach and education. View resource Previous item Next item

In 2008-2009, the Scottish Government initiated the "Shift the Balance of Care" policy, advocating for a transition of care from hospitals to community settings for more sustainable outcomes. This policy aimed to integrate health and social care services around the citizen, emphasizing a multi-disciplinary community care model. Further, the Chief Medical Officers' Annual Report in 2017 urged the adoption of predictive and proportionate care models, emphasizing citizen co-management and joint decision-making, departing from a paternalistic medical approach. < Return to resources Introduction to the Demonstration & Simulation Environment (DSE) Chute, Chaloner In 2008-2009, the Scottish Government initiated the "Shift the Balance of Care" policy, advocating for a transition of care from hospitals to community settings for more sustainable outcomes. This policy aimed to integrate health and social care services around the citizen, emphasizing a multi-disciplinary community care model. Further, the Chief Medical Officers' Annual Report in 2017 urged the adoption of predictive and proportionate care models, emphasizing citizen co-management and joint decision-making, departing from a paternalistic medical approach. View resource Previous item Next item

Kara MackenzieProject Co-ordinator < Return to team Kara Mackenzie Project Co-ordinator Kara provides support to our project portfolio, with a focus on approved projects. She ensures all projects run smoothly, milestones are achieved, and partners get the most out of their collaborations. She keeps our network updated on all potential funding matters including signposting and supporting funding applications. Email LinkedIn Related Projects Next team member Previous team page Team page

This landscape review examines international initiatives for assessing mobile health and wellbeing apps, identifying seven key quality parameters across initiatives. Among them, 'Privacy/Data protection', 'Credible sources/Evidence-based information', and 'Functionality' are highly represented. The UK-based Digital Assessment Questions (DAQs) cover all parameters comprehensively, making them recommended for assessing health and wellbeing apps for mPower interventions. < Return to resources International Practice on Digital Apps Nielsen, Søren Lange This landscape review examines international initiatives for assessing mobile health and wellbeing apps, identifying seven key quality parameters across initiatives. Among them, 'Privacy/Data protection', 'Credible sources/Evidence-based information', and 'Functionality' are highly represented. The UK-based Digital Assessment Questions (DAQs) cover all parameters comprehensively, making them recommended for assessing health and wellbeing apps for mPower interventions. View resource Previous item Next item

This document contains microlearning units to explore meta skills required to cope with future working life. These microlearning materials were collectively produced by lecturers participating in the FUTUREquipped project, and are now made available to any learner under the Creative Commons licence. Units available include: Unit 1: Adaptability Unit 2: Curiosity Unit 3: Creativity (Innovation) Unit 4: Communication (Social Intelligence) Unit 5: Collaboration (Social Skills) < Return to resources Metaskills: Learning Materials - FUTUREquipped Project This document contains microlearning units to explore meta skills required to cope with future working life. These microlearning materials were collectively produced by lecturers participating in the FUTUREquipped project, and are now made available to any learner under the Creative Commons licence. Units available include: Unit 1: Adaptability Unit 2: Curiosity Unit 3: Creativity (Innovation) Unit 4: Communication (Social Intelligence) Unit 5: Collaboration (Social Skills) View resource Previous item Next item

The DHI, in collaboration with other organizations, recently hosted an event in Glasgow to discuss the transition of telecare services from analogue to digital. With approximately 170,000 users in Scotland, the importance of enhancing these services was highlighted, especially as British Telecoms plans to switch off analogue telecare services by 2025. The event aimed to share knowledge and discuss the future landscape of telecare in Scotland, addressing the implications and preparations needed for this transition. < Return to resources Transition from analogue to digital for telecare services in Scotland Rooney, Laura The DHI, in collaboration with other organizations, recently hosted an event in Glasgow to discuss the transition of telecare services from analogue to digital. With approximately 170,000 users in Scotland, the importance of enhancing these services was highlighted, especially as British Telecoms plans to switch off analogue telecare services by 2025. The event aimed to share knowledge and discuss the future landscape of telecare in Scotland, addressing the implications and preparations needed for this transition. View resource Previous item Next item

To address challenges outlined in Scotland's 'Mental health transition and recovery plan' (2021), a national Digital Mental Health Programme Board has been initiated, aiming to leverage previous innovation experiences to identify new opportunities. In 2021, the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI) received funding to establish and lead a Digital Mental Health Innovation Cluster, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across various sectors. This report conducts a horizon scan of global leaders and best practices in digital mental health, identifying emerging technologies to support the cluster's work, excluding solutions previously researched by DHI to avoid duplication and focus on innovation. < Return to resources Digital Mental Health: Findings of a Desktop Horizon Scan for Global Leaders & Digital Innovation Opportunities Morrison, C. To address challenges outlined in Scotland's 'Mental health transition and recovery plan' (2021), a national Digital Mental Health Programme Board has been initiated, aiming to leverage previous innovation experiences to identify new opportunities. In 2021, the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI) received funding to establish and lead a Digital Mental Health Innovation Cluster, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across various sectors. This report conducts a horizon scan of global leaders and best practices in digital mental health, identifying emerging technologies to support the cluster's work, excluding solutions previously researched by DHI to avoid duplication and focus on innovation. View resource Previous item Next item

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

The Digital Dashboard Experience Lab project, initiated by the University of the Highlands and Islands and NHS Highland, aimed to enhance virtual consultations for diabetes management. The project addressed challenges in discussing diabetes data during virtual consultations by proposing a Digital Dashboard. Through pre- and general labs, three overarching themes emerged: Empowerment and Readiness, Equity and Collaboration, and Timeliness of Information and Insight. These insights informed recommendations for designing digital tools to support person-centered consultations, culminating in a concept for the ideal Digital Dashboard and the next steps for its development. < Return to resources Digital Diabetes Dashboard Teal, Gemma and Thorup, Tine and Baillie, Jen and Johnson, Michael The Digital Dashboard Experience Lab project, initiated by the University of the Highlands and Islands and NHS Highland, aimed to enhance virtual consultations for diabetes management. The project addressed challenges in discussing diabetes data during virtual consultations by proposing a Digital Dashboard. Through pre- and general labs, three overarching themes emerged: Empowerment and Readiness, Equity and Collaboration, and Timeliness of Information and Insight. These insights informed recommendations for designing digital tools to support person-centered consultations, culminating in a concept for the ideal Digital Dashboard and the next steps for its development. View resource Previous item Next item

This document contains microlearning units to explore the various aspects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the context of SMART Homes. Developed by lecturers involved in the FUTUREquipped project (2018), the learning materials cover topics such as the role of the Internet of Everything, automated medicine alert systems, ethical considerations for programmers, and sensor interfaces in SMART Homes. All materials are accessible to learners under the Creative Commons license. < Return to resources ICT Sector: Learning Materials - FUTUREquipped Project FUTUREquipped Project This document contains microlearning units to explore the various aspects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the context of SMART Homes. Developed by lecturers involved in the FUTUREquipped project (2018), the learning materials cover topics such as the role of the Internet of Everything, automated medicine alert systems, ethical considerations for programmers, and sensor interfaces in SMART Homes. All materials are accessible to learners under the Creative Commons license. View resource Previous item Next item

The TEC requested a review of emerging trends in Digital Health and Care to inform future program direction in Scotland. The report captures the sector's position as of Autumn 2018, with trends likely to remain relevant for 3-5 years. While comprehensive, it's not exhaustive and hasn't undergone academic peer review. < Return to resources Review of Emerging Trends in Digital Health and Care: A report by the Digital Health and Care Institute Rooney, Laura and Rimpiläinen, Sanna and Morrison, Ciarán and Nielsen, Søren Lange The TEC requested a review of emerging trends in Digital Health and Care to inform future program direction in Scotland. The report captures the sector's position as of Autumn 2018, with trends likely to remain relevant for 3-5 years. While comprehensive, it's not exhaustive and hasn't undergone academic peer review. View resource Previous item Next item

This study aimed to present a set of recurring user requirements and themes for comanaged digital health and care services derived from the body of co-design projects within a digital health and care program. This study aimed to enable people and organizations looking to reorient their approach to health and care research and delivery from a system-led and condition-specific approach to a more person-centric, whole-of-life model. This paper presents a set of 14 common user requirements that resulted from a review of co-design projects. The findings demonstrate overlapping and reinforcing sets of needs from citizens and care professionals related to how data are comanaged to improve care and outcomes. It highlights consensus around requirements for personal health storytelling, sharing data on care experiences and how this can support personalized guidance, visualize trends to support decision-making, and generally improve dialog between a citizen and care professionals. < Return to resources User Requirements for Comanaged Digital Health and Care Review Chute, Chaloner, French, Tara, Raman, Sneha and Bradley, Jay This study aimed to present a set of recurring user requirements and themes for comanaged digital health and care services derived from the body of co-design projects within a digital health and care program. This study aimed to enable people and organizations looking to reorient their approach to health and care research and delivery from a system-led and condition-specific approach to a more person-centric, whole-of-life model. This paper presents a set of 14 common user requirements that resulted from a review of co-design projects. The findings demonstrate overlapping and reinforcing sets of needs from citizens and care professionals related to how data are comanaged to improve care and outcomes. It highlights consensus around requirements for personal health storytelling, sharing data on care experiences and how this can support personalized guidance, visualize trends to support decision-making, and generally improve dialog between a citizen and care professionals. View resource Previous item Next item

On 4 June 2025, leading experts, clinicians, policymakers, patient advocates from across NHS Scottish Government, academic , research and Industry gathered for a thought leadership event exploring global collaboration in diabetes innovation, research and system transformation. Hosted by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) in partnership with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Lemonmint, the event explored with senior leaders’ opportunities for global collaboration in diabetes innovation, research and system transformation. < Return to resources Transforming Diabetes Care through Innovation: Leveraging Scotland’s Collaborative Ecosystem Thought Leadership Event Summary Report Michelle Brogan & Janette Hughes On 4 June 2025, leading experts, clinicians, policymakers, patient advocates from across NHS Scottish Government, academic , research and Industry gathered for a thought leadership event exploring global collaboration in diabetes innovation, research and system transformation. Hosted by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) in partnership with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Lemonmint, the event explored with senior leaders’ opportunities for global collaboration in diabetes innovation, research and system transformation. View resource Previous item Next item

The shift in health and social care towards proactive, responsive, and preventative models emphasizes the need for technology integration to enhance care interactions and experiences. The 'Tech Rights' report by Scottish Care highlights the current landscape and recommends an ethical and rights-based approach to technology development in social care. Exploring challenges and perspectives from a technology event organized by Scottish Care provides insights into the opportunities for technology in social care in Scotland, focusing on its role for individuals, providers, and practices. < Return to resources Making technology meaningful in social care French, Tara and Tulloch, Angela The shift in health and social care towards proactive, responsive, and preventative models emphasizes the need for technology integration to enhance care interactions and experiences. The 'Tech Rights' report by Scottish Care highlights the current landscape and recommends an ethical and rights-based approach to technology development in social care. Exploring challenges and perspectives from a technology event organized by Scottish Care provides insights into the opportunities for technology in social care in Scotland, focusing on its role for individuals, providers, and practices. View resource Previous item Next item