Our projects

Censis, the Scotland 5G Centre, and DHI conducted a feasibility study in Moray to explore 5G opportunities for Health and Care services. The study identified key success factors for a community health network and highlighted the potential for service enhancement through 5G technology.

This 4-year, €6 million Horizon Europe programme includes NHS Highland, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Strathclyde. It aims to replace up to 75% of optical colonoscopies with Camera Capsule Endoscopy (CCE), enhancing patient experience and hospital efficiency by using AI to streamline diagnostics and reduce errors.

The AIM4ALL Proof of Concept aimed to enhance data collection for evaluating new healthcare products in Scotland, using CAR T-cell therapy as an example. The project was a partnership between DHI, Precision Medicine, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and was funded by Scottish Enterprise and Cell & Gene Catalyst UK.

The Atrial Fibrillation (AF) project, a collaboration between DHI, NHS Lanarkshire, the University of Strathclyde, Napier University, and Bardy, aimed to detect paroxysmal AF using continuous monitoring devices. It focused on reducing stroke recurrence and supporting new stroke standards through co-design and evaluating digital device implementation.

The Personal Data Store (PDS), or "Backpack," aimed to enhance service access and enable integrated, person-centred care. In partnership with Mydex CIC, NHS Grampian, and Moray Social Health and Care Partnership, DHI worked with MS patients and professionals to improve personal information management for better service experiences.

This project repurposed the DHI-funded Trauma App to assess COVID-19 symptoms, deployed by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. It facilitated 20,000 assessments by July 2021. Version 3 was completed, and a Stage 4 proposal was prepared before the project closed in October 2021.

This project expanded the National Notification Service (NSS) by adding a self-service contact tracing form, crucial to the COVID-19 response. It facilitated rapid data collection and improved accessibility for positive cases.

This project aimed to rapidly develop and test the Care Homes Assessment Tool (CHAT) in at least two Health Boards/HSCP areas. CHAT supports staff in assessing, triaging, and accessing specialist clinical input for resident treatment.

DHI uniquely drives Diabetes Innovation in Scotland by collaborating with NHS, industry, academia, and individuals with lived experiences to advance innovation and funding opportunities.

This project aims to enhance Diabetes self-management and education for Children, Young People, and Families (CYPF) by expanding DigiBete, a patient-led digital platform supporting over 40,000 UK users. After a successful pilot in 2022-2023, additional funding will allow further scaling across NHS Scotland until July 2026.

Digital Lifelines Scotland, a £3.1 million programme funded by the Scottish Government and Drug Deaths Taskforce, aims to improve digital inclusion and health outcomes for drug users. Led by DHI, with SCVO and Simon Community Scotland, it operates through six key workstreams, including Digital Inclusion and Integration.

In response to COVID-19, DHI, NHS GGC, NSS, and Storm ID expanded a web app for COPD patients to self-manage at home, reducing hospital admissions. The "Dynamic-Scot" project used asynchronous messaging and patient data for clinical interventions and machine learning integration within NHS systems.

Preparing Scotland’s workforce to respond to the digital and technical revolution.

DHI conducted co-design workshops to help NHS Forth Valley develop an AI-supported dermatology service. These workshops produced an analysis of the current state and a proposed AI solution for dermatology. The project report was well-received, and NHS Forth Valley is considering the next steps.

Developing a digitally enabled universal service model to reduce type 2 diabetes-related risk

Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership (MHSCP) received Scottish Government TEC Pathfinder funding to explore how digital technology can innovate the frailty care system in Midlothian. Partnering with DHI, MHSCP uses design-led approaches to engage citizens, clinical and service stakeholders, and key partners like the British Red Cross and VOCAL.

Innovate UK contracted DHI to review the UK's immersive reality technology for mental health therapeutics. The project produced a final report with recommendations from research and co-design workshops. Approved by UKRI, it has concluded, and DHI is now tendering for Phase 2 to support and upskill innovators.

Macmillan Cancer Support commissioned DHI and Abertay University to develop a visual tool using gaming theory and AI to identify support needs of People Affected by Cancer (PABC). The tool analyses characteristics and similar cases to offer personalised care and resource planning, with interfaces for patients and health professionals.

In March 2022, NHS HIS Community Engagement commissioned DHI to define requirements for a new national Volunteer Management System (VMS). Funded by the Scottish Government, DHI developed a future model for NHS Volunteering through workshops. This model will guide VMS procurement and modernize NHS Volunteering. A market-sounding exercise informed the preliminary budget.

"Once for the Patient" is a person-centred electronic record system for NHS Grampian, developed with DHI using co-design methodologies. Completed in spring 2021, it aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness by ensuring records follow patients from admission to discharge.

Janssen commissioned DHI and the University of Strathclyde to explore using digital technologies to measure individual interactions with their environment, focusing on prostate cancer. The project aimed to develop a methodology to assess daily functioning and the impact of medicines, determining their value to health and care providers.

The £5m Rural Centre of Excellence for Digital Health and Care (RCE), funded by the UK Government and managed and delivered by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI), aims to advance Scotland's digital health agenda and support economic recovery. It includes a Demonstration & Simulation Environment (DSE) in Elgin and Living Labs for innovation collaboration across Moray.

SCOTCAP, a DHI-led programme, developed a scalable national model for Colon Capsule Endoscopy (CCE) as a GI diagnostic test in Scotland. It enabled early community screening, reduced hospital referrals, and involved NHS Highland, NHS Grampian, and NHS Western Isles. Endorsed by the 2018/19 Programme for Government.

The Network for Technology, Innovation, and Translation in Ageing (TITTAN) aimed to promote active, healthy ageing across Europe. Funded by Interreg Europe, DHI collaborated with six regional healthcare systems to exchange, benchmark, and implement innovative policies.

The Digital Hypertension project expanded on initial simulations of uploading blood pressure readings from a Bluetooth cuff to an app. It aimed to develop solutions for a national hypertension service via CPS pharmacies, producing a blueprint with cost modelling, service capacity estimates, and a roadmap for establishing a live service.

The North West Europe Interreg CHANCE Project, completed in May 2022, focused on Hospital at Home innovation for heart failure patients in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. It developed SME capabilities, tested home hospitalisation platforms in three hospitals, and collaborated with DHI to establish global protocols.

The Right Decision Service (RDS) is Scotland’s national decision support service for health and social care. Funded by the Scottish Government and owned by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, RDS provides digital tools for safe, timely healthcare decisions based on validated evidence and patient-centred outcomes.

Transforming Diabetes Care Through Innovation –mapping the current landscape and identifying future priorities in Scotland

Exploring person-centred approaches to diabetes care in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire to create a roadmap for future care.

Co-Producing a National Framework to Prevent, Detect and Improve Outcomes for Type 2 Diabetes.