Providing equitable access to specialist palliative care, regardless of diagnosis or geographical location, with relatively limited resources and an ageing population, will become increasing difficult for all hospice services. This paper describes the development of a Design Brief for a Virtual Hospice using design tools and methods. The project began by observing Hospice staff and their interactions with patients. Three User Personas were then created based on data gathered through interviews with a small number of patients and professionals. Each Persona’s progress through the Highland Hospice service was visualised on a User Journey Map in the form of insights and opportunities, with five key themes emerging. The final step involved producing a Design Brief that synthesised the research findings in the form of a plan for creating, prototyping, and testing the Virtual Hospice. < Return to resources Developing a Design Brief for a Virtual Hospice Using Design Tools and Methods: a preliminary exploration Taylor, Andrea and French, Tara and Lennox, Jeni and Keen, Jeremy Providing equitable access to specialist palliative care, regardless of diagnosis or geographical location, with relatively limited resources and an ageing population, will become increasing difficult for all hospice services. This paper describes the development of a Design Brief for a Virtual Hospice using design tools and methods. The project began by observing Hospice staff and their interactions with patients. Three User Personas were then created based on data gathered through interviews with a small number of patients and professionals. Each Persona’s progress through the Highland Hospice service was visualised on a User Journey Map in the form of insights and opportunities, with five key themes emerging. The final step involved producing a Design Brief that synthesised the research findings in the form of a plan for creating, prototyping, and testing the Virtual Hospice. View resource Previous item Next item Developing a Design Brief for a Virtual Hospice Using Design Tools and Methods: a preliminary exploration Paper 2015 Start Now

This paper provides a high-level mapping of existing capability / competency / career frameworks relevant to the special data, information and knowledge workforce in health and care in Scotland. It is informed by: • Early discussions of the project steering group • Literature search • Interviews with strategic stakeholders It is anticipated that this initial mapping will be augmented through iterative engagement with stakeholders and finalised in the final SDIK Scoping Report to provide a composite overview of data, information and knowledge workforce capabilities to date . Associated with "Our Time to Shine" report. < Return to resources High Level Mapping of Relevant Existing Capability/Competency/Career Frameworks: Appendix 2 Digital Health & Care Institute & Wales, Ann This paper provides a high-level mapping of existing capability / competency / career frameworks relevant to the special data, information and knowledge workforce in health and care in Scotland. It is informed by: • Early discussions of the project steering group • Literature search • Interviews with strategic stakeholders It is anticipated that this initial mapping will be augmented through iterative engagement with stakeholders and finalised in the final SDIK Scoping Report to provide a composite overview of data, information and knowledge workforce capabilities to date . Associated with "Our Time to Shine" report. View resource Previous item Next item High Level Mapping of Relevant Existing Capability/Competency/Career Frameworks: Appendix 2 Report 2019 Start Now

In times of rapid social, economic, environmental, and technological change designers can play a valuable role by applying their creativity to catalyse innovative solutions to address complex problems. As they do so, it becomes apparent they need to ask fundamental questions about what they make, how they make it, and who for. The mindsets and postures of designers often go unnoticed and unacknowledged, but they profoundly influence what is identified as a problem and how it is framed and addressed. This paper draws upon a research project titled ‘CO/DEsign’, which explores the application of agile co-design methods in an endeavour to understand and identify the most appropriate approach for rigorous analysis. The ‘CO/DEsign’ project argues that, while it is important to draw upon other disciplines and borrow methods such as thematic analysis, further methods should be developed that better represent and support designers and their approaches. < Return to resources Code Design: the role of boundary objects in research analysis Johnson, Michael and Ballie, Jen and Thorup, Tine and Brooks, Elizabeth In times of rapid social, economic, environmental, and technological change designers can play a valuable role by applying their creativity to catalyse innovative solutions to address complex problems. As they do so, it becomes apparent they need to ask fundamental questions about what they make, how they make it, and who for. The mindsets and postures of designers often go unnoticed and unacknowledged, but they profoundly influence what is identified as a problem and how it is framed and addressed. This paper draws upon a research project titled ‘CO/DEsign’, which explores the application of agile co-design methods in an endeavour to understand and identify the most appropriate approach for rigorous analysis. The ‘CO/DEsign’ project argues that, while it is important to draw upon other disciplines and borrow methods such as thematic analysis, further methods should be developed that better represent and support designers and their approaches. View resource Previous item Next item Code Design: the role of boundary objects in research analysis Paper 2017 Start Now

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 World Health Organisation defines Healthy Ageing as maintaining functional ability for well-being in older age. The Aging 2.0 Grand Challenges report identifies 8 key challenges, including Brain Health, Care Coordination, and Financial Wellness. This report aims to provide Scottish-specific data on these challenges to inform innovative digital health solutions explored by the Scottish Healthy Ageing Innovation Cluster. < Return to resources Report on Health Ageing 2.0 Key Challenges: High-Level Review of the Scottish Context Tatsi, Athina The World Health Organisation defines Healthy Ageing as maintaining functional ability for well-being in older age. The Aging 2.0 Grand Challenges report identifies 8 key challenges, including Brain Health, Care Coordination, and Financial Wellness. This report aims to provide Scottish-specific data on these challenges to inform innovative digital health solutions explored by the Scottish Healthy Ageing Innovation Cluster. View resource Previous item Next item Report on Health Ageing 2.0 Key Challenges: High-Level Review of the Scottish Context Report 2019 Start Now

DHI’s Net Zero Principles and Goals outline its approach to supporting a greener, more sustainable future through leadership, accountability, and collective action. The document sets out key principles and actions to reduce carbon emissions across DHI’s operations, partnerships, projects, and research, supporting Scotland’s transition to net zero and NHS Scotland’s sustainability ambitions. < Return to resources DHI Net Zero Principles and Goals DHI’s Net Zero Principles and Goals outline its approach to supporting a greener, more sustainable future through leadership, accountability, and collective action. The document sets out key principles and actions to reduce carbon emissions across DHI’s operations, partnerships, projects, and research, supporting Scotland’s transition to net zero and NHS Scotland’s sustainability ambitions. View resource Previous item Next item DHI Net Zero Principles and Goals Report 2026 Start Now

The Digital Innovation in Social Care – Industry Engagement Workshop (June 2025) brought together 51 participants from industry, academia, health, and social care sectors to explore priorities and opportunities for digital transformation in Scotland’s social care system. The workshop identified systemic barriers to scaling innovation, including fragmented leadership, limited data integration, and lack of clear investment guidance. Participants emphasised the importance of creating readiness for change, fostering knowledge exchange, and aligning digital strategy with frontline practice. Key themes included building a digital innovation pipeline, promoting interoperability, supporting workforce capability, and embedding inclusive, ethical digital practices. Insights from the workshop will inform the development of a national Digital Care Innovation Hub to drive collaboration and sustainable transformation. < Return to resources Digital Innovation in Social Care - Industry Engagement Workshop Raman, Sneha and French, Tara and Whyte, Anna and Whoriskey, Margaret and Lyons, Abigail The Digital Innovation in Social Care – Industry Engagement Workshop (June 2025) brought together 51 participants from industry, academia, health, and social care sectors to explore priorities and opportunities for digital transformation in Scotland’s social care system. The workshop identified systemic barriers to scaling innovation, including fragmented leadership, limited data integration, and lack of clear investment guidance. Participants emphasised the importance of creating readiness for change, fostering knowledge exchange, and aligning digital strategy with frontline practice. Key themes included building a digital innovation pipeline, promoting interoperability, supporting workforce capability, and embedding inclusive, ethical digital practices. Insights from the workshop will inform the development of a national Digital Care Innovation Hub to drive collaboration and sustainable transformation. View resource Previous item Next item Digital Innovation in Social Care - Industry Engagement Workshop Report 2025 Start Now

This paper describes the findings of a participatory-design project focussed on the use of modern, digital technologies to support people and their carer(s) in particular to improve access to services, better co-ordinate services and to make support packages more resilient. Design activities included a focus group and three participatory design workshops with health and care professionals, and several interviews with unpaid carers in Moray. The findings are presented as design concepts and insights that should help health and care delivery including supporting unpaid carers. The paper contributes four concepts alongside insights from unpaid carers. The concepts are at the time of writing being developed for future use in the region and the paper therefore describes the process of procuring simulated healthcare services to increase learning and improve the adoption of innovative service changes. The resulting commissioned innovative services, and long-lasting benefits of the service innovation, should economically benefit Moray. < Return to resources Participatory design of service innovation to support people and their carers in Moray Bradley, Jay., Joseph, Sonya Lizbeth., Shore, Linda, Harkis, Marlene. This paper describes the findings of a participatory-design project focussed on the use of modern, digital technologies to support people and their carer(s) in particular to improve access to services, better co-ordinate services and to make support packages more resilient. Design activities included a focus group and three participatory design workshops with health and care professionals, and several interviews with unpaid carers in Moray. The findings are presented as design concepts and insights that should help health and care delivery including supporting unpaid carers. The paper contributes four concepts alongside insights from unpaid carers. The concepts are at the time of writing being developed for future use in the region and the paper therefore describes the process of procuring simulated healthcare services to increase learning and improve the adoption of innovative service changes. The resulting commissioned innovative services, and long-lasting benefits of the service innovation, should economically benefit Moray. View resource Previous item Next item Participatory design of service innovation to support people and their carers in Moray Paper 2023 Start Now

Summarisation of documents of high importance for the business case. < Return to resources Summary of NHS Scotland (NHSS) procurement strategies Morrison, Ciarán Summarisation of documents of high importance for the business case. View resource Previous item Next item Summary of NHS Scotland (NHSS) procurement strategies Executive summary 2016 Start Now

The research report explores the skills issues in Scotland's digital health sector in 2017-18, which is rapidly growing and demanding skilled personnel. There's a notable shortage of professionals proficient in both ICT and health and care, and the existing education and training offerings are limited, mostly at post-graduate level. The research findings suggest bridging the gap between education and sector needs is crucial for Scotland to capitalize on the expanding digital health market, requiring a review of education provision, closer collaboration with industry, and raising awareness of the sector's importance. < Return to resources Review and Analysis of the Digital Health Sector and Skills for Scotland Rimpiläinen, Sanna and Morrison, Ciarán and Rooney, Laura The research report explores the skills issues in Scotland's digital health sector in 2017-18, which is rapidly growing and demanding skilled personnel. There's a notable shortage of professionals proficient in both ICT and health and care, and the existing education and training offerings are limited, mostly at post-graduate level. The research findings suggest bridging the gap between education and sector needs is crucial for Scotland to capitalize on the expanding digital health market, requiring a review of education provision, closer collaboration with industry, and raising awareness of the sector's importance. View resource Previous item Next item Review and Analysis of the Digital Health Sector and Skills for Scotland Report 2018 Start Now

Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation (AF) post-stroke is crucial, but its intermittent nature makes detection challenging during hospitalisation. A pilot program in NHS Lanarkshire explored a new managed service for AF screening using devices allowing 14 days of home monitoring, with reports generated by the service provider. Interviews with clinicians and patients highlighted acceptability and the need for further exploration regarding report generation preferences. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare managers planning technology-enabled AF monitoring services. < Return to resources Process Evaluation for Technology Enabled Atrial Fibrillation Screening after a Stroke in Scotland Lennon, Marilyn and McCann, Lisa and Horan, Sarah and Kyfonidis, Babis and Munford, Rachel and Bruce, Angela and Neubeck, Lis and Barber, Mark and Brennan, Katrina and Mooney, Pamela Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation (AF) post-stroke is crucial, but its intermittent nature makes detection challenging during hospitalisation. A pilot program in NHS Lanarkshire explored a new managed service for AF screening using devices allowing 14 days of home monitoring, with reports generated by the service provider. Interviews with clinicians and patients highlighted acceptability and the need for further exploration regarding report generation preferences. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare managers planning technology-enabled AF monitoring services. View resource Previous item Next item Process Evaluation for Technology Enabled Atrial Fibrillation Screening after a Stroke in Scotland Report 2020 Start Now

Skills Development Scotland is the national skills body supporting the people and businesses of Scotland to develop and apply their skills. With more than 1,400 colleagues working across the country in schools, careers centres and partner locations, SDS are passionate about skills development and its contribution to a modern, innovative and prosperous Scottish economy. SDS are committed to building a Scotland which champions fair work practices and a diverse workforce. Working with partners, SDS strive to ensure employers have the right skills at the right time in high performing, fair and equal workplaces, and that every individual has the skills and confidence to get a job and progress in the workplace, achieving their full potential. Visit Partner's website Previous Item Next Item

Analysis of the definitions of digital health and the subthemes within it. < Return to resources Defining Digital Health Morrison, Ciarán Analysis of the definitions of digital health and the subthemes within it. View resource Previous item Next item Defining Digital Health Report 2016 Start Now

PainChek® is a clinically validated pain assessment tool initially designed to improve pain management for individuals with moderate to severe dementia in aged care settings. Using a combination of AI technology, facial analysis, and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), PainChek® detects pain cues even when they are not overtly obvious. With a strong reputation across the industry, PainChek® has facilitated over 4.1 million clinical assessments in aged care facilities worldwide. To explore the full cost benefits from the implementation of PainChek® and inform national strategic planning, an independent assessment of the tool was undertaken by a team from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) between July 2024 and April 2025. Overall, the evaluation concluded that PainChek® shows promise as a tool to enhance pain management in Scottish care homes by improving pain assessment and potentially leading to better medication management and quality of life for residents. However, the final report recommended that further research, particularly on cost-benefits along with addressing implementation barriers, is crucial for making informed decisions about its wider rollout. The Edinburgh Napier University evaluation team would like to acknowledge the support of Nicky Cronin, David Marshall and Nicola McCardle from the Care Inspectorate for facilitating the desk review phase and the successful coordination of the field phase of this project. < Return to resources Evaluation of a Digital Solution for the Assessment and Management of Pain in Scottish Care Services Nyangu, Isabel and Campbell, Karen and Dunham, Margaret and Samuriwo, Ray and Thompson, Kali PainChek® is a clinically validated pain assessment tool initially designed to improve pain management for individuals with moderate to severe dementia in aged care settings. Using a combination of AI technology, facial analysis, and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), PainChek® detects pain cues even when they are not overtly obvious. With a strong reputation across the industry, PainChek® has facilitated over 4.1 million clinical assessments in aged care facilities worldwide. To explore the full cost benefits from the implementation of PainChek® and inform national strategic planning, an independent assessment of the tool was undertaken by a team from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) between July 2024 and April 2025. Overall, the evaluation concluded that PainChek® shows promise as a tool to enhance pain management in Scottish care homes by improving pain assessment and potentially leading to better medication management and quality of life for residents. However, the final report recommended that further research, particularly on cost-benefits along with addressing implementation barriers, is crucial for making informed decisions about its wider rollout. The Edinburgh Napier University evaluation team would like to acknowledge the support of Nicky Cronin, David Marshall and Nicola McCardle from the Care Inspectorate for facilitating the desk review phase and the successful coordination of the field phase of this project. View resource Previous item Next item Evaluation of a Digital Solution for the Assessment and Management of Pain in Scottish Care Services Report 2025 Start Now

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 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 International Practice on Digital Apps Report 2018 Start Now

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

This report details the activity and outcomes of a series of design led workshops involving stakeholders of Respiratory services in the NHS Scotland. Participants came from 16 specialists’ areas and 6 different NHS Board areas, giving both a broad geographic and functional reach. The first step for the workshops was to identify common Respiratory patient symptoms, noting their importance. Issues were mapped for each symptom and areas to focus on agreed. Further discussion around these focus areas led to suggestions for sustainable improvement to Respiratory services. These ranged from reducing unnecessary initial, return and follow-up appointments and improving chronic infection and sleep apnoea pathways. Future work will involve national support to ensure the Respiratory community, along with primary care partners are supported to make the necessary changes to ensure efficient and effective patient pathways are achieved. < Return to resources Scottish Access Collaborative: Respiratory Report Porteous, A., Blank, L., Schauberger, U., Smith, P., Brooks, E. This report details the activity and outcomes of a series of design led workshops involving stakeholders of Respiratory services in the NHS Scotland. Participants came from 16 specialists’ areas and 6 different NHS Board areas, giving both a broad geographic and functional reach. The first step for the workshops was to identify common Respiratory patient symptoms, noting their importance. Issues were mapped for each symptom and areas to focus on agreed. Further discussion around these focus areas led to suggestions for sustainable improvement to Respiratory services. These ranged from reducing unnecessary initial, return and follow-up appointments and improving chronic infection and sleep apnoea pathways. Future work will involve national support to ensure the Respiratory community, along with primary care partners are supported to make the necessary changes to ensure efficient and effective patient pathways are achieved. View resource Previous item Next item Scottish Access Collaborative: Respiratory Report Report 2019 Start Now