Technology designed for sufferers to make knowledgeable decisions is “the only way” to take Scotland’s medical mannequin into the twenty first century, in response to the pinnacle of an innovation centre hosted on the University of Strathclyde.

The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) has secured new annual funding of £2million from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) for a minimum of the following 10 years.

The centre brings companions within the business, educational, well being and social care and third sectors collectively, to drive innovation and transformation in Scottish well being and social care. The funding will make sure the organisation will proceed to make an influence domestically and internationally.

Since its inception in 2013, DHI has spearheaded main digital advances, together with: accelerating Scotland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the pioneering £5m Rural Centre of Excellence in Moray, and SCOTCAP, know-how to be used in outpatient gastroenterology.

The new funding has enabled DHI to set out priorities in its new 10-year plan, together with:

• remodel well being and social care
• creating digital and knowledge infrastructures as nationwide belongings
• enhancing Scotland’s linked ecosystem by way of cross sectoral innovation clusters
• creating a future expertise pipeline which delivers workforce capabilities match for Scotland’s future
• extending business engagement to help financial progress
• engaged on well being and care’s contribution to web zero targets
• enhancing Scotland’s worldwide fame in analysis and innovation.

Strathclyde hosts the centre, which can be backed by the Scottish Government, in collaboration with The Glasgow School of Art (GSA).

DHI’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor George Crooks OBE, stated the main target of well being and social care in Scotland should shift in the direction of private empowerment – the place people have larger management over their well being and care necessities by way of efficient use of their knowledge – made potential by advances in digital know-how.

He stated: “Growing ready lists, ageing populations, difficulties recruiting workers, and a workforce that’s nonetheless feeling the influence of pandemic and pressures of the well being and care system are the realities in Scotland – however they’re additionally world challenges not distinctive to this nation. Demand is outstripping capability and there has by no means been a larger urgency to do issues in another way.

“Scotland’s medical mannequin of care, that has served us very effectively for the previous 150 years, is now not match for function within the twenty first century. We should transfer away from our current strategy to 1 the place we hearken to, activate, and empower our residents to make higher knowledgeable well being and wellbeing decisions supported by assets of their communities.

The solely means that may occur is thru the suitable use of digital applied sciences allied to an understanding of the lived expertise of individuals in Scotland, utilizing our experience to co-design with them, and tailoring providers to fulfill their private and native circumstances.

“In greater than 40 years working within the NHS in Scotland, my expertise is that almost all of funding in know-how has all the time been to profit the healthcare system or folks working inside it. The sufferers had been solely passive recipients of that, and this wants to vary.

“It’s only in recent years, and as we look forward, that we have begun to invest in technology focused on the people of Scotland that will enable them to make better health and wellbeing choices. It will enable them to curate their own data and access appropriate services more easily and effectively and relieve the pressure on frontline services.”

Duncan Graham, Associate Principal and Executive Dean of Strathclyde’s Faculty of Science, stated: “We’re delighted to proceed internet hosting two of the innovation centres introduced for funding in DHI and IBioIC (Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre).

“We look forward to supporting the positive impact for Scotland and beyond offered by both, with DHI spearheading the next generation of citizen-centred healthcare that is set to transform the lives of many.”

SFC Chief Executive Karen Watt stated: “We are delighted to be continuing to support the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre to help the people of Scotland live longer, healthier lives and provide sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”