HISES Newsletter
August 2026 Newsletter
Welcome to our monthly newsletter! Formed through a collaboration of three NHS Boards – Borders, Fife and Lothian, with the latter taking on the role of lead host Board – HISES has a pivotal role in delivering innovative solutions to the health and social challenges, both regionally and nationally.
August 2026 Newsletter
01
HISES news
Professor Nazir Lone has joined HISES as our new Clinical Innovation Lead.
Welcoming Nazir Lone as HISES Clinical Innovation Lead
Nazir Lone, Professor of Critical Care and Epidemiology at the Usher Institute, has been appointed Clinical Innovation Lead for Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES), strengthening the organisation’s commitment to accelerating the development, evaluation and adoption of innovations that improve patient care and health outcomes across South East Scotland.
Nazir is also an Honorary Consultant in Critical Care at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian. His research focuses on improving the quality and outcomes of acute and critically ill people through epidemiology, data science and healthcare innovation.
Speaking about his appointment, Nazir said:
“Throughout my career I’ve seen how data can help us understand and improve care. I’m looking forward to working with the HISES team to identify and evaluate the most promising innovations that address real clinical needs. By building robust evidence, ensuring strong governance and using patient data responsibly, we can support the adoption of innovations that clinicians and patients trust.”
Professor Nazir Lone
Clinical Innovation Lead, HISES
01
HISES news
Professor Nazir Lone has joined HISES as our new Clinical Innovation Lead.
Welcoming Nazir Lone as HISES Clinical Innovation Lead
Nazir Lone, Professor of Critical Care and Epidemiology at the Usher Institute, has been appointed Clinical Innovation Lead for Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES), strengthening the organisation’s commitment to accelerating the development, evaluation and adoption of innovations that improve patient care and health outcomes across South East Scotland.
Nazir is also an Honorary Consultant in Critical Care at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian. His research focuses on improving the quality and outcomes of acute and critically ill people through epidemiology, data science and healthcare innovation.
Speaking about his appointment, Nazir said:
“Throughout my career I’ve seen how data can help us understand and improve care. I’m looking forward to working with the HISES team to identify and evaluate the most promising innovations that address real clinical needs. By building robust evidence, ensuring strong governance and using patient data responsibly, we can support the adoption of innovations that clinicians and patients trust.”
Professor Nazir Lone
Clinical Innovation Lead, HISES
01
HISES news
Professor Nazir Lone has joined HISES as our new Clinical Innovation Lead.
Welcoming Nazir Lone as HISES Clinical Innovation Lead
Nazir Lone, Professor of Critical Care and Epidemiology at the Usher Institute, has been appointed Clinical Innovation Lead for Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES), strengthening the organisation’s commitment to accelerating the development, evaluation and adoption of innovations that improve patient care and health outcomes across South East Scotland.
Nazir is also an Honorary Consultant in Critical Care at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian. His research focuses on improving the quality and outcomes of acute and critically ill people through epidemiology, data science and healthcare innovation.
Speaking about his appointment, Nazir said:
“Throughout my career I’ve seen how data can help us understand and improve care. I’m looking forward to working with the HISES team to identify and evaluate the most promising innovations that address real clinical needs. By building robust evidence, ensuring strong governance and using patient data responsibly, we can support the adoption of innovations that clinicians and patients trust.”
Professor Nazir Lone
Clinical Innovation Lead, HISES
02
Funding and opportunities
Nine funding calls, programmes and schemes for innovators, researchers and NHS staff.
Join the NIHR Reviewer Development Scheme
NIHR are looking for early career global health researchers and health professionals to join the NIHR Reviewer Development Scheme to help shape the research that NIHR funds. You can develop your reviewing skills, get insights into best practice by learning what a successful application to NIHR consists of and continue your professional development. NIHR provide confirmation of completed tasks which you can use in your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio.
To apply you must:
be close to completing your PhD or have completed a PhD in the last 10 years but have not held a grant as lead applicant (excluding fellowships) of over £100,000
be a health professional from, or working in, a low or middle income country, who is active in research
be able to review in English
Tay Health Tech Sandpit Fund is now open
Tay Health Tech are offering up to £50,000 for teams to get together to explore developments of innovative MedTech solutions that could improve health and care in Tayside, and beyond.
This two-phase funding opportunity is designed to help prove the concept and feasibility of promising ideas into practical solutions.
1️⃣ Phase 1: Build Ideas & Partnerships. Bring together people from different disciplines, organisations and sectors through a collaborative Sandpit workshop. Explore healthcare challenges, develop new ideas for MedTech solutions, and create partnerships to solve the shared healthcare need.
2️⃣ Phase 2: Test Your Solution. Access seed funding to take the most promising ideas forward and test their feasibility through a proof-of-concept project.
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP): Cohort 11 applications open this Autumn
Are you passionate about solving problems, improving services, or developing innovative solutions for patients and staff?
The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme is a free workforce development programme for both clinical and non-clinical NHS staff. This includes Doctors, Dentists, Healthcare Scientists, Nurses and Midwives, Allied Health Professionals (all 14 groups) and Pharmacists, Managers, and Administrative/Clerical Staff.
It also includes those who provide a service into the NHS, locums, academic clinicals who work in universities, NHS healthcare and projects manager.
Key Dates for Cohort 11
Applications Open: 19th October 2026
Applications Close: 20th November 2026
Review and Assessment phase: November 2026 to January 2027
Applications Outcome: February 2027
Programme Starts: March 2027
The Techscaler Singapore International Programme is now open for applications
Techscaler Singapore is giving the opportunity to Scottish founders to access one of Asia’s most dynamic start up ecosystems, providing participants with specialised support, insights, networking opportunities, and training pre-departure.
This year’s cohort is specifically tailored for founders and senior leaders in Medtech, Healthtech, Biotech, and Life Sciences. The two-week, participant-led trip aligns with the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH), offering high-value access to local healthtech leaders, partners, and investors.
🙋 Who is it for? Early-stage & scaling start ups in MedTech, Healthtech, Biotech and Life Sciences
🗓️ When is it on? 24th October to 7th November 2026
✈️ What’s included? Fully funded flights, hotel accommodation, hotdesking workspace, and 1:1 mentorship from APAC sector experts for first-time participants
The deadline for final programme applications is 24th August at 9am.
If you’d like to connect with the cohort, contact Jessica McClure at jessica.mcclure@thisiscodebase.com
New Life Sciences Accommodation Programme is live
Scotland’s life sciences sector is growing, but the supply of suitable accommodation has not kept pace. There’s strong demand for modern, flexible lab and manufacturing space, particularly for scale-up and grow-on companies.
The Life Sciences Accommodation Programme (LSAP) will help create new and refurbished laboratory, grow-on and manufacturing space, where market conditions make development difficult.
LSAP offers capital funding support for experienced property developers, universities and investment partners. It’ll support the construction and fit-out of new life sciences laboratory and manufacturing spaces in Scotland. Up to £4 million funding is expected to be available per project. Additional funding may be available in some cases.
CONSOLIDATE’s Feasibility Studies Funding Call is now live
CONSOLIDATE’s Feasibility Studies Funding Call is now open, with up to £100,000 available for projects addressing one or more of the Grand Challenges.
CONSOLIDATE invites applications for feasibility studies that bring together different disciplines, sectors and lived experience perspectives to explore ideas, generate proof-of-concept data and inform future development, funding or deployment.
CONSOLIDATE NetworkPlus is exploring how technologies can support independence in people living with dementia. It’s a collaborative network led by Heriot-Watt University, the University of Strathclyde and Age Scotland, supported by a range of partners including Alzheimer Scotland, Meeting Centres Scotland, Carers Scotland, the Community Renewal Trust, Edinburgh College, Life Sciences Scotland, NHS Borders, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Grampian, NHS Lothian and NHS Shetland.
The CONSOLIDATE Grand Challenges are focused on enhancing independence in dementia. There is information to support those developing ideas to address one or more of the Grand Challenges. CONSOLIDATE is a collaborative network which includes people living with dementia, unpaid carers and family members, professionals in health and social care, community and third sector organisations, researchers and representatives from industry and policymaking.
Scotland’s National AI Adoption Programme for SMEs
Funded by the Scottish Government, the AI adoption support programme offers small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) a range of opportunities to implement or expand the use of AI in their business.
The Data Lab’s fully funded training and support is designed for ambitious SMEs who want to move beyond awareness and take the strategic next step in their organisation’s approach to AI, data and technology.
Funded opportunities offer skills development, practical learning, and tailored support to help senior leaders make informed decisions, lead responsibly, apply learning to their own organisation, and ultimately implement an AI and data project to drive efficiency, growth, and innovation.
Private Sector Accelerator Awards
The Private Sector Accelerator Awards are funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Research Data Scotland (RDS). This is a new funding award available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with a base in Scotland who are interested in using public sector data.
This is data created by people when they use public services like schools or the NHS, and collected by central or local government who use this information to run services.
Companies will benefit from a waiver of data preparation and analysis costs of up to £60,000 per project. The money is paid directly to our partners who will curate, manage and link the datasets that the successful SME needs to complete their project. There will be a maximum of three projects funded.
AI and Quantum Computing in Healthcare Mission to RIES Forum
Join a high-level Scottish delegation to Galicia, Spain, for the AI and Quantum Computing in Healthcare Mission taking place 14th to 16th October 2026, alongside the RIES Forum. An opportunity to connect with healthcare leaders, researchers, innovators and decision-makers from across Spain and Europe, explore new commercial opportunities, and build international partnerships while showcasing Scotland’s strengths in next-generation healthcare technologies.
📅 Applications close: 21 August 2026
💷 Funding may be available.
If you’re an export-ready Scottish business using AI or quantum technologies in healthcare, now is the time to apply.
02
Funding and opportunities
Nine funding calls, programmes and schemes for innovators, researchers and NHS staff.
Join the NIHR Reviewer Development Scheme
NIHR are looking for early career global health researchers and health professionals to join the NIHR Reviewer Development Scheme to help shape the research that NIHR funds. You can develop your reviewing skills, get insights into best practice by learning what a successful application to NIHR consists of and continue your professional development. NIHR provide confirmation of completed tasks which you can use in your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio.
To apply you must:
be close to completing your PhD or have completed a PhD in the last 10 years but have not held a grant as lead applicant (excluding fellowships) of over £100,000
be a health professional from, or working in, a low or middle income country, who is active in research
be able to review in English
Tay Health Tech Sandpit Fund is now open
Tay Health Tech are offering up to £50,000 for teams to get together to explore developments of innovative MedTech solutions that could improve health and care in Tayside, and beyond.
This two-phase funding opportunity is designed to help prove the concept and feasibility of promising ideas into practical solutions.
1️⃣ Phase 1: Build Ideas & Partnerships. Bring together people from different disciplines, organisations and sectors through a collaborative Sandpit workshop. Explore healthcare challenges, develop new ideas for MedTech solutions, and create partnerships to solve the shared healthcare need.
2️⃣ Phase 2: Test Your Solution. Access seed funding to take the most promising ideas forward and test their feasibility through a proof-of-concept project.
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP): Cohort 11 applications open this Autumn
Are you passionate about solving problems, improving services, or developing innovative solutions for patients and staff?
The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme is a free workforce development programme for both clinical and non-clinical NHS staff. This includes Doctors, Dentists, Healthcare Scientists, Nurses and Midwives, Allied Health Professionals (all 14 groups) and Pharmacists, Managers, and Administrative/Clerical Staff.
It also includes those who provide a service into the NHS, locums, academic clinicals who work in universities, NHS healthcare and projects manager.
Key Dates for Cohort 11
Applications Open: 19th October 2026
Applications Close: 20th November 2026
Review and Assessment phase: November 2026 to January 2027
Applications Outcome: February 2027
Programme Starts: March 2027
The Techscaler Singapore International Programme is now open for applications
Techscaler Singapore is giving the opportunity to Scottish founders to access one of Asia’s most dynamic start up ecosystems, providing participants with specialised support, insights, networking opportunities, and training pre-departure.
This year’s cohort is specifically tailored for founders and senior leaders in Medtech, Healthtech, Biotech, and Life Sciences. The two-week, participant-led trip aligns with the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH), offering high-value access to local healthtech leaders, partners, and investors.
🙋 Who is it for? Early-stage & scaling start ups in MedTech, Healthtech, Biotech and Life Sciences
🗓️ When is it on? 24th October to 7th November 2026
✈️ What’s included? Fully funded flights, hotel accommodation, hotdesking workspace, and 1:1 mentorship from APAC sector experts for first-time participants
The deadline for final programme applications is 24th August at 9am.
If you’d like to connect with the cohort, contact Jessica McClure at jessica.mcclure@thisiscodebase.com
New Life Sciences Accommodation Programme is live
Scotland’s life sciences sector is growing, but the supply of suitable accommodation has not kept pace. There’s strong demand for modern, flexible lab and manufacturing space, particularly for scale-up and grow-on companies.
The Life Sciences Accommodation Programme (LSAP) will help create new and refurbished laboratory, grow-on and manufacturing space, where market conditions make development difficult.
LSAP offers capital funding support for experienced property developers, universities and investment partners. It’ll support the construction and fit-out of new life sciences laboratory and manufacturing spaces in Scotland. Up to £4 million funding is expected to be available per project. Additional funding may be available in some cases.
CONSOLIDATE’s Feasibility Studies Funding Call is now live
CONSOLIDATE’s Feasibility Studies Funding Call is now open, with up to £100,000 available for projects addressing one or more of the Grand Challenges.
CONSOLIDATE invites applications for feasibility studies that bring together different disciplines, sectors and lived experience perspectives to explore ideas, generate proof-of-concept data and inform future development, funding or deployment.
CONSOLIDATE NetworkPlus is exploring how technologies can support independence in people living with dementia. It’s a collaborative network led by Heriot-Watt University, the University of Strathclyde and Age Scotland, supported by a range of partners including Alzheimer Scotland, Meeting Centres Scotland, Carers Scotland, the Community Renewal Trust, Edinburgh College, Life Sciences Scotland, NHS Borders, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Grampian, NHS Lothian and NHS Shetland.
The CONSOLIDATE Grand Challenges are focused on enhancing independence in dementia. There is information to support those developing ideas to address one or more of the Grand Challenges. CONSOLIDATE is a collaborative network which includes people living with dementia, unpaid carers and family members, professionals in health and social care, community and third sector organisations, researchers and representatives from industry and policymaking.
Scotland’s National AI Adoption Programme for SMEs
Funded by the Scottish Government, the AI adoption support programme offers small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) a range of opportunities to implement or expand the use of AI in their business.
The Data Lab’s fully funded training and support is designed for ambitious SMEs who want to move beyond awareness and take the strategic next step in their organisation’s approach to AI, data and technology.
Funded opportunities offer skills development, practical learning, and tailored support to help senior leaders make informed decisions, lead responsibly, apply learning to their own organisation, and ultimately implement an AI and data project to drive efficiency, growth, and innovation.
Private Sector Accelerator Awards
The Private Sector Accelerator Awards are funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Research Data Scotland (RDS). This is a new funding award available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with a base in Scotland who are interested in using public sector data.
This is data created by people when they use public services like schools or the NHS, and collected by central or local government who use this information to run services.
Companies will benefit from a waiver of data preparation and analysis costs of up to £60,000 per project. The money is paid directly to our partners who will curate, manage and link the datasets that the successful SME needs to complete their project. There will be a maximum of three projects funded.
AI and Quantum Computing in Healthcare Mission to RIES Forum
Join a high-level Scottish delegation to Galicia, Spain, for the AI and Quantum Computing in Healthcare Mission taking place 14th to 16th October 2026, alongside the RIES Forum. An opportunity to connect with healthcare leaders, researchers, innovators and decision-makers from across Spain and Europe, explore new commercial opportunities, and build international partnerships while showcasing Scotland’s strengths in next-generation healthcare technologies.
📅 Applications close: 21 August 2026
💷 Funding may be available.
If you’re an export-ready Scottish business using AI or quantum technologies in healthcare, now is the time to apply.
03
Sector news and insights
Reports, research and stories from across health and care innovation in Scotland and the UK.
GP’s digital platform will support national network of walk-in mental health hubs
A digital platform created by a GP will provide additional support to Scotland’s first walk-in mental health hubs.
The Dr-Julian app will support the Aberdeen and Glasgow hubs of the growing Nook network, launched by the charity Scottish Action for Mental Health, with more hubs expected in 2027.
The app was the brainchild of Dr Julian Nesbitt, who was supported by the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. It is a secure web platform that enables instant access to Nook services and resources via phone, tablet, or computer.
NIHR Annual Report 25/26 published
The NIHR Annual Report 2025/26 has been published, showcasing another year of how their research is improving lives, strengthening health and care, driving innovation and supporting economic growth across the UK.
At the heart of the report are 4 themes that demonstrate how NIHR drive life-changing research for the nation’s health and wealth: impact, inclusion, innovation and investment. In this special edition, they highlight just a selection of the stories and achievements that bring these themes to life.
Transforming Health and Care Systems: new podcasts
The THCS project team invite you to listen to the third episode in their new podcast series, which spotlight several of the THCS funded projects. THCS core activity is the funding of research and innovation projects through joint transnational calls involving a large number of Research and Innovation Funding Organisations on common priorities and topics.
The third episode of the THCS podcast series features SPINE-SYNC, one of the initiatives funded under their 2024 Joint Transnational Call “Innovate to Prevent”. The conversation explores the importance of empowering patients with accessible information, supporting multidisciplinary collaboration, and improving communication across the care pathway to achieve better health outcomes.
🎧 Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or the THCS Knowledge Hub.
🔗 More info on the SPINE-SYNC project: linkedin.com/in/thcs
Case Study Spotlight: University of Edinburgh Venture Builder Incubator
Dr. Nazia Gillani transformed her academic research into a business with MovementGuard, a smart home system that detects early signs of mobility decline in the elderly. After witnessing the impact of falls on her grandmother, Nazia developed technology to provide timely intervention. The Venture Builder Incubator (VBI) helped her navigate the entrepreneurial journey, refine her market strategy, and identify carers and care organisations as key customers. VBI provided essential guidance, support, and confidence, enabling Nazia to turn her innovative solution into a successful business aimed at preserving independence and supporting carers.
MHRA and NHS England clarify rules for AI clinical scribes
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), working closely with NHS England, has published new guidance that provides much-needed clarity on how existing medical device regulations apply to AI-enabled ambient voice technology (AVT) products used across health and care settings in Great Britain.
Ambient voice technology, often referred to as AI scribes, is increasingly being deployed by NHS organisations to capture, transcribe and summarise conversations between clinicians and patients. By automating administrative tasks such as note-taking and letter drafting, the technology has the potential to reduce clinician workload and free up more time for direct patient care. The move is expected to accelerate the safe adoption of AI-powered clinical documentation tools across the NHS, supporting the wider ambition of making the NHS the most AI-enabled health system in the world.
Under the new guidance, the MHRA confirms that AVT products used solely for transcription, summarisation of clinical conversations, drafting correspondence, or recommending clinical codes for review by a healthcare professional are not classified as medical devices under current UK regulations.
Turning evidence on technology-enabled care into action: themes from the DECIDE Impact Forum
What does it take to turn digital innovation into better care? Insights from the DECIDE Impact Forum explore how technology-enabled care can be implemented, scaled and sustained through a stronger focus on people, equity, infrastructure and evidence.
Across health and social care, digital tools, remote monitoring, sensors, virtual care pathways and emerging AI technologies are being positioned as part of the response to some of the sector’s biggest challenges: rising demand, workforce shortages, growing complexity of need, and the ambition to support people to live well and independently for longer.
Against this backdrop, DECIDE (Digitally Enabled Care in Diverse Environments), an NIHR-funded rapid evaluation centre led by the University of Oxford and RAND Europe, brought together policymakers, commissioners, practitioners, researchers, industry partners, patient representatives and service-user organisations for the inaugural DECIDE Impact Forum.
NIHR invests in quantum technologies to fast-track healthcare innovation
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded £1.65 million to 17 pioneering projects aimed at accelerating the development of quantum technologies that could transform patient care across the NHS. The funding will support early-stage innovations designed to tackle some of healthcare’s most complex challenges, from earlier cancer diagnosis to advanced intensive care monitoring.
The investment has been made through the NIHR’s Invention for Innovation (i4i) Funding At the Speed of Translation (FAST) programme, which brings together leading quantum researchers, clinical experts and NIHR infrastructure to help promising technologies move more rapidly towards adoption in the NHS. The initiative also involves the two NIHR co-funded healthcare quantum research hubs, Q-BIOMED and QuSIT, alongside NHS research infrastructure specialising in quantum innovation.
Our Future Health’s mobile clinics launch in Scotland
From early July, Our Future Health’s mobile clinics will travel across Scotland to enable more people to take part in health research.
The programme has been running in Scotland for over two years and this expansion will help around 60,000 more people be part of the UK’s largest health research programme over the next six months.
Healthy life expectancy, which refers to the number of years a person can expect to live in good health, has been decreasing in Scotland over the last 10 years. Scottish people are currently expected to live in good health for roughly 59 years on average, and this is even less for people who live in the most deprived areas of the country.
Our Future Health aims to change this by making it easier for Scottish people to take part in health research which will support everyone live longer, healthier lives. Over 2.7 million people have signed up, including 91,000 people in Scotland, and the programme is launching three new mobile clinics which will travel around Scotland so even more people can take part.
03
Sector news and insights
Reports, research and stories from across health and care innovation in Scotland and the UK.
GP’s digital platform will support national network of walk-in mental health hubs
A digital platform created by a GP will provide additional support to Scotland’s first walk-in mental health hubs.
The Dr-Julian app will support the Aberdeen and Glasgow hubs of the growing Nook network, launched by the charity Scottish Action for Mental Health, with more hubs expected in 2027.
The app was the brainchild of Dr Julian Nesbitt, who was supported by the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. It is a secure web platform that enables instant access to Nook services and resources via phone, tablet, or computer.
NIHR Annual Report 25/26 published
The NIHR Annual Report 2025/26 has been published, showcasing another year of how their research is improving lives, strengthening health and care, driving innovation and supporting economic growth across the UK.
At the heart of the report are 4 themes that demonstrate how NIHR drive life-changing research for the nation’s health and wealth: impact, inclusion, innovation and investment. In this special edition, they highlight just a selection of the stories and achievements that bring these themes to life.
Transforming Health and Care Systems: new podcasts
The THCS project team invite you to listen to the third episode in their new podcast series, which spotlight several of the THCS funded projects. THCS core activity is the funding of research and innovation projects through joint transnational calls involving a large number of Research and Innovation Funding Organisations on common priorities and topics.
The third episode of the THCS podcast series features SPINE-SYNC, one of the initiatives funded under their 2024 Joint Transnational Call “Innovate to Prevent”. The conversation explores the importance of empowering patients with accessible information, supporting multidisciplinary collaboration, and improving communication across the care pathway to achieve better health outcomes.
🎧 Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or the THCS Knowledge Hub.
🔗 More info on the SPINE-SYNC project: linkedin.com/in/thcs
Case Study Spotlight: University of Edinburgh Venture Builder Incubator
Dr. Nazia Gillani transformed her academic research into a business with MovementGuard, a smart home system that detects early signs of mobility decline in the elderly. After witnessing the impact of falls on her grandmother, Nazia developed technology to provide timely intervention. The Venture Builder Incubator (VBI) helped her navigate the entrepreneurial journey, refine her market strategy, and identify carers and care organisations as key customers. VBI provided essential guidance, support, and confidence, enabling Nazia to turn her innovative solution into a successful business aimed at preserving independence and supporting carers.
MHRA and NHS England clarify rules for AI clinical scribes
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), working closely with NHS England, has published new guidance that provides much-needed clarity on how existing medical device regulations apply to AI-enabled ambient voice technology (AVT) products used across health and care settings in Great Britain.
Ambient voice technology, often referred to as AI scribes, is increasingly being deployed by NHS organisations to capture, transcribe and summarise conversations between clinicians and patients. By automating administrative tasks such as note-taking and letter drafting, the technology has the potential to reduce clinician workload and free up more time for direct patient care. The move is expected to accelerate the safe adoption of AI-powered clinical documentation tools across the NHS, supporting the wider ambition of making the NHS the most AI-enabled health system in the world.
Under the new guidance, the MHRA confirms that AVT products used solely for transcription, summarisation of clinical conversations, drafting correspondence, or recommending clinical codes for review by a healthcare professional are not classified as medical devices under current UK regulations.
Turning evidence on technology-enabled care into action: themes from the DECIDE Impact Forum
What does it take to turn digital innovation into better care? Insights from the DECIDE Impact Forum explore how technology-enabled care can be implemented, scaled and sustained through a stronger focus on people, equity, infrastructure and evidence.
Across health and social care, digital tools, remote monitoring, sensors, virtual care pathways and emerging AI technologies are being positioned as part of the response to some of the sector’s biggest challenges: rising demand, workforce shortages, growing complexity of need, and the ambition to support people to live well and independently for longer.
Against this backdrop, DECIDE (Digitally Enabled Care in Diverse Environments), an NIHR-funded rapid evaluation centre led by the University of Oxford and RAND Europe, brought together policymakers, commissioners, practitioners, researchers, industry partners, patient representatives and service-user organisations for the inaugural DECIDE Impact Forum.
NIHR invests in quantum technologies to fast-track healthcare innovation
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded £1.65 million to 17 pioneering projects aimed at accelerating the development of quantum technologies that could transform patient care across the NHS. The funding will support early-stage innovations designed to tackle some of healthcare’s most complex challenges, from earlier cancer diagnosis to advanced intensive care monitoring.
The investment has been made through the NIHR’s Invention for Innovation (i4i) Funding At the Speed of Translation (FAST) programme, which brings together leading quantum researchers, clinical experts and NIHR infrastructure to help promising technologies move more rapidly towards adoption in the NHS. The initiative also involves the two NIHR co-funded healthcare quantum research hubs, Q-BIOMED and QuSIT, alongside NHS research infrastructure specialising in quantum innovation.
Our Future Health’s mobile clinics launch in Scotland
From early July, Our Future Health’s mobile clinics will travel across Scotland to enable more people to take part in health research.
The programme has been running in Scotland for over two years and this expansion will help around 60,000 more people be part of the UK’s largest health research programme over the next six months.
Healthy life expectancy, which refers to the number of years a person can expect to live in good health, has been decreasing in Scotland over the last 10 years. Scottish people are currently expected to live in good health for roughly 59 years on average, and this is even less for people who live in the most deprived areas of the country.
Our Future Health aims to change this by making it easier for Scottish people to take part in health research which will support everyone live longer, healthier lives. Over 2.7 million people have signed up, including 91,000 people in Scotland, and the programme is launching three new mobile clinics which will travel around Scotland so even more people can take part.
04
Events
Webinars, workshops, conferences and awards to put in your diary from September to November.
Future of Health & Care: Market Insights Webinar
Are you interested in working with new external partners to amplify the impact and reach of your research? Do you want to know more about the latest trends and opportunities to get involved in the Health and Care sector?
This webinar on Tuesday, 1st September will introduce you to the biggest challenges and the unique University of Edinburgh proposition around the ‘Future of Health & Care’ sector, such as the CHAI (Causality in Healthcare AI) Hub.
Mark Craighead, External Engagement Executive for Health at Edinburgh Innovations and Rosanna Culver, Business Development for the CHAI Hub will share their deep understanding of the most pressing topics of interest to this sector. They will explain how they work with the research community and industry partners to co-create innovation projects with impact at their core.
You’re invited: Startup Summer Accelerator Showcase
Join Edinburgh Innovations at the Edinburgh Futures Institute for an afternoon of rapid-fire pitches, bold ideas and brilliant connections. Come see the Student Enterprise team in action and experience the energy and creativity of some of the University’s most promising student and graduate founders.
Over the past 12 weeks, the 2025 cohort, 12 early-stage startups across AI, medtech, climate tech, spacetech and more, have powered through an intensive accelerator programme supported by CHAI Hub and Santander Universities.
🗓 Thursday, 27th August
⏰ 1pm to 5pm
📍 Edinburgh Futures Institute
Find out more about the cohort and save your spot →
Digital Leadership in Practice webinar: Reflections from the Journey
What does it take to grow as a leader in an increasingly digital world?
In this webinar taking place online on Tuesday, 1st September, the speakers will reflect on their leadership journey, exploring how their approach has evolved through their postgraduate education and highlighting key experiences, projects and opportunities that have shaped their development. They will share practical examples of applying their learning within their role and organisation, discuss lessons learned about leading in the digital age, and offer advice for others seeking to grow their impact as digital leaders.
You’ll hear practical insights on:
Applying learning in the workplace
Leading effectively in the digital age
Lessons learned throughout their leadership journey
Building your impact as a digital leader
Public Sector Digital Leadership Exchange 2026
With just two weeks to go until Holyrood’s Public Sector Digital Leadership Exchange comes to the Informatics Forum, Edinburgh on Wednesday, 2nd September 2026, here’s what to expect on the day.
Public Sector Digital Leadership Exchange will focus on the move from strategy and into delivery, by focusing on real-world case studies rather than theory.
Featured speakers
Martyn Wallace, Chief Digital Officer, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
Graeme Lockhart, Head of Engineering and Cloud Services, Social Security Scotland
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
Verity Hislop, Senior Project Manager/Portfolio Lead, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
Innovation Centres Roadshow 2026
On Thursday, 3rd September join Scotland’s Innovation Centres and partners for the final Innovation Centres Roadshow event, showcasing how collaboration between academia, industry and the Innovation Centre network is supporting innovation, skills development and economic growth across Scotland.
During this interactive online session, you’ll hear short updates from each of Scotland’s four Innovation Centres (DHI, The Data Lab, IBioIC and BE-ST). A panel discussion featuring college and university partners will explore the role of Further and Higher Education in driving innovation, developing future talent and connecting organisations with expertise and resources.
The event will also provide plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion, allowing attendees to share experiences, identify potential partnerships and learn more about how Scotland’s innovation ecosystem can support their ambitions.
Whether you are from academia, industry, the public sector or the third sector, this session offers a valuable opportunity to connect with the Innovation Centre community and explore future opportunities for collaboration.
Connecting Digital Health, Care and Net Zero
Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre is undertaking a new landscape review exploring how digital health and care can support Scotland’s net zero and sustainability ambitions. The project will map current activity, identify gaps and opportunities, and consider how digital innovation could contribute to lower-carbon, more resilient and equitable models of health and care.
They are therefore holding a co-design workshop in Glasgow on Monday, 14th September, from 10am to 3pm. Participants will work together to review and strengthen the emerging landscape, share activity and perspectives that may have been overlooked, identify connections and gaps, and shape a shared agenda for future research, innovation and action.
The workshop will also provide an opportunity to build relationships and explore where new collaborations could turn shared priorities into practical activity.
Registration now open for the NHS Scotland Event 2026
Registration is now open for Scotland’s leading health event!
This year’s NHS Scotland Event in partnership with The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and supported by Buddy Healthcare, will focus on Transforming Health and Care Services through Collaboration. Delegates can look forward to a varied programme of keynote speakers, practical examples of innovation, and opportunities to connect with colleagues, exhibitors and poster authors from across Scotland.
Taking place on Monday, 21st September at the Technology & Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, the Event will be delivered in a hybrid format, giving delegates the flexibility to attend either in-person or online.
Doors Open Days Edinburgh 2026: The National Robotarium
Exciting opportunity to visit The National Robotarium on Saturday, 26th September for a free, family-friendly event exploring the exciting world of robotics and artificial intelligence. Visitors can meet the robots, including robotic dogs and humanoid robot Ameca, explore the Robotarium’s Human-Robot Interaction lab and Robotics and Autonomous Systems labs through self-guided tours, watch live demos and take part in hands-on activities.
Discover how robotics and AI are helping to tackle real-world challenges and improve lives across a range of sectors.
Find out more about the wider Doors Open Days programme →
Edinburgh Critical Care Research Methods Course 2026
This two-day course starting on Thursday, 8th October consists of a comprehensive series of lectures and workshops designed for clinicians and researchers who are seeking to improve their understanding of key research methods with a focus on the acute health care setting.
The course covers research methodologies required to critically appraise and to conduct clinical research. There is a strong focus on group work and interactive sessions.
The course is of particular relevance to clinicians, trainees, AHPs and researchers in critical care, emergency medicine, acute medical specialities and anaesthesia.
From Innovation to Impact: IFIC Scotland Conference
This one-day collaborative learning event on Tuesday, 27th October shares local, national and international experience of implementing integrated care and support. Participants will consider the innovation and improvement required for Health and Social Care Service Renewal and to implement key priorities from the Care Reform (Scotland) Act.
Themed sessions and breakouts will include:
Preventative, proactive and place-based care and support
Digital innovation for health, social care, housing and wellbeing
Collaborative workforce solutions and inter-professional education
Embedding lived experience in learning ecosystems
Investing for value and outcomes
Reserve your place and select either in-person or online participation. Online delegates will receive a link to join the hybrid sessions live or watch on demand.
Submissions are open for the Technology Scotland Awards 2026!
Returning for a second year, the awards will take place as part of the Annual Dinner on Thursday, 12th November at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow – tickets are now on sale.
The awards are designed to recognise outstanding achievements across the critical and enabling technologies sector, celebrating the individuals and organisations driving innovation, global impact, and collaboration across Scotland.
This year’s awards will feature six categories, including two new awards:
Excellence in Innovation: awarded to an organisation that can evidence the development of a truly innovative and world-leading technology or product.
International Reach: awarded to the organisation that has made the most significant impact on the global stage.
Collaboration: awarded to a consortium of Scottish organisations that can evidence the power of local collaboration in the successful delivery of a key project or product in the enabling technologies sector.
Rising Star: awarded to an individual aged 30 or under who has made a significant positive impact within their organisation over the last year.
Talent Development (new): awarded to an organisation that has shown outstanding commitment to developing skills, nurturing talent, and empowering its people to achieve their full potential.
Outstanding Leadership in Technology (new): awarded to an individual that has shown exceptional leadership in technology that has driven innovation and delivered organisational success.
04
Events
Webinars, workshops, conferences and awards to put in your diary from September to November.
Future of Health & Care: Market Insights Webinar
Are you interested in working with new external partners to amplify the impact and reach of your research? Do you want to know more about the latest trends and opportunities to get involved in the Health and Care sector?
This webinar on Tuesday, 1st September will introduce you to the biggest challenges and the unique University of Edinburgh proposition around the ‘Future of Health & Care’ sector, such as the CHAI (Causality in Healthcare AI) Hub.
Mark Craighead, External Engagement Executive for Health at Edinburgh Innovations and Rosanna Culver, Business Development for the CHAI Hub will share their deep understanding of the most pressing topics of interest to this sector. They will explain how they work with the research community and industry partners to co-create innovation projects with impact at their core.
You’re invited: Startup Summer Accelerator Showcase
Join Edinburgh Innovations at the Edinburgh Futures Institute for an afternoon of rapid-fire pitches, bold ideas and brilliant connections. Come see the Student Enterprise team in action and experience the energy and creativity of some of the University’s most promising student and graduate founders.
Over the past 12 weeks, the 2025 cohort, 12 early-stage startups across AI, medtech, climate tech, spacetech and more, have powered through an intensive accelerator programme supported by CHAI Hub and Santander Universities.
🗓 Thursday, 27th August
⏰ 1pm to 5pm
📍 Edinburgh Futures Institute
Find out more about the cohort and save your spot →
Digital Leadership in Practice webinar: Reflections from the Journey
What does it take to grow as a leader in an increasingly digital world?
In this webinar taking place online on Tuesday, 1st September, the speakers will reflect on their leadership journey, exploring how their approach has evolved through their postgraduate education and highlighting key experiences, projects and opportunities that have shaped their development. They will share practical examples of applying their learning within their role and organisation, discuss lessons learned about leading in the digital age, and offer advice for others seeking to grow their impact as digital leaders.
You’ll hear practical insights on:
Applying learning in the workplace
Leading effectively in the digital age
Lessons learned throughout their leadership journey
Building your impact as a digital leader
Public Sector Digital Leadership Exchange 2026
With just two weeks to go until Holyrood’s Public Sector Digital Leadership Exchange comes to the Informatics Forum, Edinburgh on Wednesday, 2nd September 2026, here’s what to expect on the day.
Public Sector Digital Leadership Exchange will focus on the move from strategy and into delivery, by focusing on real-world case studies rather than theory.
Featured speakers
Martyn Wallace, Chief Digital Officer, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
Graeme Lockhart, Head of Engineering and Cloud Services, Social Security Scotland
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
Verity Hislop, Senior Project Manager/Portfolio Lead, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
Innovation Centres Roadshow 2026
On Thursday, 3rd September join Scotland’s Innovation Centres and partners for the final Innovation Centres Roadshow event, showcasing how collaboration between academia, industry and the Innovation Centre network is supporting innovation, skills development and economic growth across Scotland.
During this interactive online session, you’ll hear short updates from each of Scotland’s four Innovation Centres (DHI, The Data Lab, IBioIC and BE-ST). A panel discussion featuring college and university partners will explore the role of Further and Higher Education in driving innovation, developing future talent and connecting organisations with expertise and resources.
The event will also provide plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion, allowing attendees to share experiences, identify potential partnerships and learn more about how Scotland’s innovation ecosystem can support their ambitions.
Whether you are from academia, industry, the public sector or the third sector, this session offers a valuable opportunity to connect with the Innovation Centre community and explore future opportunities for collaboration.
Connecting Digital Health, Care and Net Zero
Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre is undertaking a new landscape review exploring how digital health and care can support Scotland’s net zero and sustainability ambitions. The project will map current activity, identify gaps and opportunities, and consider how digital innovation could contribute to lower-carbon, more resilient and equitable models of health and care.
They are therefore holding a co-design workshop in Glasgow on Monday, 14th September, from 10am to 3pm. Participants will work together to review and strengthen the emerging landscape, share activity and perspectives that may have been overlooked, identify connections and gaps, and shape a shared agenda for future research, innovation and action.
The workshop will also provide an opportunity to build relationships and explore where new collaborations could turn shared priorities into practical activity.
Registration now open for the NHS Scotland Event 2026
Registration is now open for Scotland’s leading health event!
This year’s NHS Scotland Event in partnership with The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and supported by Buddy Healthcare, will focus on Transforming Health and Care Services through Collaboration. Delegates can look forward to a varied programme of keynote speakers, practical examples of innovation, and opportunities to connect with colleagues, exhibitors and poster authors from across Scotland.
Taking place on Monday, 21st September at the Technology & Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, the Event will be delivered in a hybrid format, giving delegates the flexibility to attend either in-person or online.
Doors Open Days Edinburgh 2026: The National Robotarium
Exciting opportunity to visit The National Robotarium on Saturday, 26th September for a free, family-friendly event exploring the exciting world of robotics and artificial intelligence. Visitors can meet the robots, including robotic dogs and humanoid robot Ameca, explore the Robotarium’s Human-Robot Interaction lab and Robotics and Autonomous Systems labs through self-guided tours, watch live demos and take part in hands-on activities.
Discover how robotics and AI are helping to tackle real-world challenges and improve lives across a range of sectors.
Find out more about the wider Doors Open Days programme →
Edinburgh Critical Care Research Methods Course 2026
This two-day course starting on Thursday, 8th October consists of a comprehensive series of lectures and workshops designed for clinicians and researchers who are seeking to improve their understanding of key research methods with a focus on the acute health care setting.
The course covers research methodologies required to critically appraise and to conduct clinical research. There is a strong focus on group work and interactive sessions.
The course is of particular relevance to clinicians, trainees, AHPs and researchers in critical care, emergency medicine, acute medical specialities and anaesthesia.
From Innovation to Impact: IFIC Scotland Conference
This one-day collaborative learning event on Tuesday, 27th October shares local, national and international experience of implementing integrated care and support. Participants will consider the innovation and improvement required for Health and Social Care Service Renewal and to implement key priorities from the Care Reform (Scotland) Act.
Themed sessions and breakouts will include:
Preventative, proactive and place-based care and support
Digital innovation for health, social care, housing and wellbeing
Collaborative workforce solutions and inter-professional education
Embedding lived experience in learning ecosystems
Investing for value and outcomes
Reserve your place and select either in-person or online participation. Online delegates will receive a link to join the hybrid sessions live or watch on demand.
Submissions are open for the Technology Scotland Awards 2026!
Returning for a second year, the awards will take place as part of the Annual Dinner on Thursday, 12th November at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow – tickets are now on sale.
The awards are designed to recognise outstanding achievements across the critical and enabling technologies sector, celebrating the individuals and organisations driving innovation, global impact, and collaboration across Scotland.
This year’s awards will feature six categories, including two new awards:
Excellence in Innovation: awarded to an organisation that can evidence the development of a truly innovative and world-leading technology or product.
International Reach: awarded to the organisation that has made the most significant impact on the global stage.
Collaboration: awarded to a consortium of Scottish organisations that can evidence the power of local collaboration in the successful delivery of a key project or product in the enabling technologies sector.
Rising Star: awarded to an individual aged 30 or under who has made a significant positive impact within their organisation over the last year.
Talent Development (new): awarded to an organisation that has shown outstanding commitment to developing skills, nurturing talent, and empowering its people to achieve their full potential.
Outstanding Leadership in Technology (new): awarded to an individual that has shown exceptional leadership in technology that has driven innovation and delivered organisational success.
05
Stay connected
Follow HISES on LinkedIn, find the latest funding and send us your news.
HISES LinkedIn
HISES are on LinkedIn! Keep up to date with the latest news from the South East Innovation Hub and wider innovation ecosystem in Scotland via our LinkedIn page.
Latest funding opportunities
Check out all the latest health and care funding opportunities from across the sector on the funding section of our website.
Connect with HISES
Keep up to date with our latest news and follow us on LinkedIn. To feed back or submit content for our e-newsletter, email us before the last Friday of each month. If you like our newsletter, share it with colleagues, friends or family who would benefit from knowing what is going on in the world of innovation in health and care.
05
Stay connected
Follow HISES on LinkedIn, find the latest funding and send us your news.
HISES LinkedIn
HISES are on LinkedIn! Keep up to date with the latest news from the South East Innovation Hub and wider innovation ecosystem in Scotland via our LinkedIn page.
Latest funding opportunities
Check out all the latest health and care funding opportunities from across the sector on the funding section of our website.
Connect with HISES
Keep up to date with our latest news and follow us on LinkedIn. To feed back or submit content for our e-newsletter, email us before the last Friday of each month. If you like our newsletter, share it with colleagues, friends or family who would benefit from knowing what is going on in the world of innovation in health and care.