Scottish Health Innovations Limited (SHIL) has been rebranded as InnoScot Health as the organisation prepares to mark its 20th anniversary.
Martin Shields
Scottish Health Innovations Ltd. (SHIL) Pictured Graham Watson Executive Chair Photograph by Martin Shields Tel 07572 457000 www.martinshields.com © Martin Shields
Established in 2002, the organisation has a unique role in encouraging new ideas from health and social care staff – and the importance of healthcare innovation has never been greater against the backdrop of COVID-19, new ways of working, climate change, and the challenges each present to the health system.
A new website www.innoscot.com and digital offering complement the new identity has also been launched as the organisation aims to strengthen its support for NHS-led innovation.
InnoScot Health believes it is important to unlock the know-how and first-hand experience of NHS staff to improve treatment and patient care and the new look branding, website and social channels aim to drive enhanced engagement with healthcare professionals across Scotland.
The first phase of the new site is designed to inspire and allow healthcare staff to share their ideas for improving and transforming healthcare – and to receive feedback on them more quickly and easily than before.
InnoScot Health believes this digital expansion is a timely move given wider societal changes in ways of working. As part of the educational strategy of the new site, the content has been split into three main groups, spanning Ideas, Expertise, and Impact.
Ideas offers an online submission form, and online consultation bookings with the team reflect the digital environment many now operate in, providing access to help and advice.
Expertise provides information on some of InnoScot Health’s specialist fields, including intellectual property, regulatory advice, product development and commercialisation.
Impact tells the story of InnoScot Health across the past 20 years and the role it has played in bringing everything from simple to complex ideas into the Scottish healthcare system.
It is a positive story with more than 250 ideas brought into the healthcare sector, the launch of seven innovative spin-out companies and advice and support provided to multiple innovation projects, including a recent first-for Scotland partnership with the Digital Health and Care Institute to embed validated evidence in digital tools and systems in daily use by health and social care staff.
The organisation also played an important role in responding to COVID -19 with dedicated innovation calls encouraging ideas from health and social care staff. A key example of this was the organisation’s work with NHS Tayside and outdoor clothing specialist Keela International to create the SARUS-CPR hood. The invention from NHS Tayside’s medical director, Professor Peter Stonebridge, is a small, lightweight hood made from transparent fabric which creates a barrier between the patient and the individual performing resuscitation.
It reduces the risk of contamination and infection from bacteria and viruses such as COVID-19. The idea was fast-tracked for development and has now been formally adopted into clinical practice following extensive trials and a positive report from the Scottish Health Technologies Group.
The new website is part of an ongoing strategic commitment for InnoScot Health to drive connectivity, accelerate a better healthcare future for all, and deliver real value from healthcare innovation.
Alongside InnoScot Health’s rebrand, it has recruited two new members of staff to help drive the organisation forward, while expanding its deep well of expertise.
Leigh Mair has been appointed as innovation manager for North Scotland and the Scottish Islands, while Uma Shanmugam joins as InnoScot Health’s new regulatory manager.
Executive chair Graham Watson said: “At InnoScot Health, we believe innovation is key to unlocking true long-term healthcare progress and we are delighted that our new website makes it easier than ever for NHS Scotland staff members to submit innovative ideas as part of our revitalised modern identity.
“We have been working with NHS teams for 20 years, and have some incredible successes, with a range of products and spin outs making a real difference in healthcare. As we work towards NHS recovery, capitalise on new ways of working, and maximise fresh technologies, we need to encourage and draw out the best ideas from the talented and diverse workforce we have here in Scotland. We believe that ease of submission via our new site, and new features such as digital consultations will massively aid that process.”
Colin Morgan, director and vice-chair of InnoScot Health, and former Johnson and Johnson director, said: “We believe the refreshed presence of the organisation will help to accelerate our ambitions and enlarge our ability to provide expert advice to NHS Scotland staff members who want to innovate in, and envision better outcomes for, their health service.
“Our new name and digital channels perfectly encapsulate our pride and evolution in what we have already achieved, and what we strive to be – a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that has an important role in the exciting future of Scottish healthcare.”
