Living labs

During our stakeholder engagement in Moray, we identified five key themes to drive innovation in the region's health and social care sector. Using the Living Lab methodology from ENoLL, we are hosting workshops and interviews with practitioners and the public to assess current services, identify challenges, and explore improvements.

Scotland has one of the highest obesity rates in Europe, with two-thirds of adults overweight and one-third obese, leading to long-term conditions like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Obesity impacts health and quality of life, but supported self-management empowers individuals to take control of their care, resulting in better outcomes and satisfaction.

DHI, in collaboration with industry (Site Kit) and public sector partners, is developing a digital solution in Moray to support weight management and active living. This Personal Health & Care Record App will integrate remote assessments, activity monitoring, dietary tracking, two-way messaging and personalised goal setting.
As people live longer and birth rates decline, healthcare services face increasing pressure from an ageing population with complex needs. The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of digital health solutions, such as video consultations, to meet growing demands.

Long-term conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are on the rise, affecting both older and younger people. Younger patients often require more mental health support. Digital technology can help manage these conditions by providing self-help tools, monitoring symptoms, and ensuring timely access to care. This allows individuals to stay well and independent for longer, while accessing the right help and support quickly when required.

The RCE team is collaborating with front-line staff and citizens in Moray to explore innovative digital solutions that enhance health and well-being, reduce administrative burdens, and increase face-to-face time for staff.
Covid-19 has intensified pressures on health and social care in Moray, especially within community care. Key challenges include long waiting times for assessments, crisis prevention, loneliness in rural areas, and a workforce stretched beyond capacity, putting extra strain on unpaid carers.

Consultations reveal a need for better communication, reduced duplication, and improved access to services. Carers often face the burden of repeating information, while professionals struggle to access crucial data, impacting care quality and efficiency.

Care in Place aims to streamline information sharing and enhance support through digital technologies, easing the burden on services and unpaid carers.
In 2025, the UK will transition from analogue to digital phone lines, impacting "lifeline" devices that rely on old technology. This change is already happening in Moray, where residents are upgrading to digital systems, creating an opportunity to enhance safety and independence at home through smart technology.

With devices like Alexa, Google Home, and smartwatches, we can monitor health, mobility, and activity patterns, reducing hospitalisations and improving quality of life. The RCE team, in partnership with Health and Social Care Moray, is exploring innovative uses of these technologies to support independent living.

Linked to this is the Housing Mix project, which will build up to 300 affordable homes in Moray, including 24 net zero smart homes in Dallas Dhu. These homes will serve as a real-world testbed for digital health innovations, helping older adults maintain independence in their rural communities.
Our Mental Well-Being Living Lab is developing and testing innovative solutions to tackle poor mental health and low well-being, both of which have significant social and economic impacts. With mental health challenges affecting an estimated 1 billion people worldwide, and worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, this lab aims to enhance access to essential services, promote well-being, and reduce loneliness.

Interested in collaborating?

Contact Karim Mahmoud. We also need volunteers to help test these solutions, so join our Citizen Panel to get involved.