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The DHI Care and Well Being Portfolio, in collaboration with the Healthy Ageing Innovation Cluster, is hosting an online interactive workshop on 17th June to engage with industry organisations on key priorities for innovation in social care in Scotland and opportunities for adoption and scale up.        

The workshop will set out emerging proposals for how digital innovation in social care can be supported and developed, and how we can leverage research and innovation opportunities.  The organisers are keen to hear about products and developments relevant to social care that are underway, along with the experience of scale-up and barriers to be addressed.

During the workshop, new opportunities will be identified for digital innovation in social care and how your organisation could contribute to development and implementation of innovative products and services. 

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The revolution of artificial intelligence in healthcare is no longer a distant prospect; it is a present reality, rapidly advancing. Join the webinar on Friday, 23rd May 2025, to listen to a panel of experts from Norway and Scotland who will explore key issues related to the use of artificial intelligence.

This webinar is organised in collaboration between the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, Scotland, the Centre for e-health at the University of Agder, Norway. During this event, the panel of experts will present insights into key themes related to AI policy and ethics and provide examples of how AI is being harnessed to transform health and care.

AI is on pace to become a more integrated part of people’s everyday lives. Leveraging AI has the potential to reshape public services and deliver better outcomes for citizens. By sharing knowledge, learning, and working collaboratively, we can unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence and build a brighter tomorrow.

This webinar is part of a two-part series, with the next webinar scheduled for autumn, focusing on skills and capabilities for artificial intelligence. Join us and be part of this conversation.

Find out more about the agenda and speakers here.

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The Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies was established to accelerate the advancements of research and is dedicated to facilitating the development of new technologies. Through collaborations with healthcare industry experts, stakeholders, charities and academics it has begun addressing critical global health challenges. Through a collaborative approach, their goal is to continue delivering innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions.

This Showcase event will shine a spotlight on The Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies and the research underway designed to address some of the most pressing challenges in global healthcare.

Keynote speakers include Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Adviser and Head of the Public Health Profession for the UK Government, and speaker David Dent, a previous member of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, Honorary Professor at Stirling University Business School and Executive Director for Paraxel Biotech. You will hear from Dubai representatives and also have the opportunity to engage with interactive demonstrations and network with academics from within the Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies.

The day will feature research breakthroughs and technology demonstrations, including photonics solutions enhancing clinical precision, next-generation smart health sensors driving real-time diagnostics, and advanced microfluidics revolutionising biomedical workflows. You will also have the option to join a tour of the Immersive Suite, featuring a state-of-the-art patient simulator and a dynamic projection system. This cutting-edge facility can recreate a wide range of environments, serving as a powerful hub for co-design and testing.

The event will offer networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with researchers, industry leaders, and stakeholders driving impactful change in healthcare. ​

If you would like to find out more about The Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies, please visit Health and Care Technologies | Heriot-Watt University

Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface will be attending this event.

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This event, the first of four regional Innovation Centres Roadshows hosted at Edinburgh College’s Sighthill Campus on 27th November 2024, marks the beginning of a new decade of ground-breaking activity by Scotland’s four national innovation centres. These centres connect Scotland’s academic expertise with industry, public, and third-sector organisations to drive economic and societal benefits:

What to Expect:

This is a day of learning and knowledge exchange about innovation activity in Scotland, with engaging speakers, interesting panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions with an opportunity to network with a wide range of stakeholders and organisations.

Why Attend?

Goals:

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Join the University of Glasgow’s Living Laboratory programme for its Healthcare Innovation Symposium, where delegates from across academia, industry, and healthcare will come together to explore cutting-edge developments, emerging opportunities, and key challenges in the healthcare innovation landscape.

The symposium will highlight the Living Laboratory’s unique collaborative ecosystem, showcasing the importance of cross-sector partnerships in driving innovation and the adoption of new technologies.

What can you expect?

Attendees can expect engaging sessions around MedTech opportunities and advancements, strategies for generating evidence and its role in accelerating adoption, and insights into Living Laboratory assets and initiatives designed to drive innovation in Glasgow and across Scotland.

The event will introduce the Health Innovation Hub, which is set to further enhance the collaborative ecosystem and strengthen Glasgow’s position as a global leader in healthcare innovation.

Additionally, the symposium will offer valuable networking opportunities and interactive workshops, igniting innovation and nurturing ground-breaking ideas to accelerate innovation into healthcare and improve patient outcomes.

What is the Living Laboratory programme?

The Living Laboratory is a University of Glasgow-led programme that is dedicated to strengthening Glasgow’s position as a leader in healthcare innovation. By working in partnership with researchers, industry, clinicians and the public, they support the creation, refinement, and clinical evaluation of ground-breaking healthcare solutions that will transform patient outcomes.

By fostering a vibrant, collaborative ecosystem, the Living Laboratory is attracting businesses to Glasgow and fuelling the development and growth of local companies. This expanding industry cluster is creating new job opportunities, enhancing skills and driving local economic growth in Govan and Glasgow.

The Bettii Pod Ltd – Revolutionising Menstrual Care 

Background

The Bettii Pod Ltd, founded in 2021 by CEO Elaine Galston, is a start-up dedicated to normalising and destigmatising periods while promoting sustainable menstrual practices and enabling access to the testing of menstrual blood for key female focused health concerns. Focused on creating an away-from-home infrastructure for the management of reusable sanitary wear, the company aims to address challenges faced by users of reusable menstrual products, specifically the lack of facilities for cleaning and sanitising menstrual cups and discs in away-from-home environments.

1.8 billion people have periods, leading to 100 billion soiled single use period products being disposed of every year. These products are over 90% plastic and take over 500 years to decompose.  The planet cannot support this. Reusables is the largest growth sector in the menstrual market with an estimated 64 million menstrual cups sold per annum with a 56% growth prediction. 

The Challenge

The primary challenge being addressed by The Bettii Pod Ltd relates to the absence of convenient facilities for cleaning reusable menstrual cups in public spaces, an issue deemed such an obstacle that it was raised by the UN in a 2021 report which implored governments across the world to consider how to enable access to water within female toilets for menstrual cup cleaning. This obstacle, together with the lack of awareness and understanding of menstrual reusables, hinders the widespread adoption of sustainable menstrual products, affecting issues such as period poverty, environmental sustainability and at-home health testing adoption.

Currently menstrual cup users either do not clean their cup or use bottled water and/or disposable wipes which is not good for health, for the environment or practical. Over 23% drop their cup down the toilet or on the floor. The intended purpose of the Bettii product is to support sustainable menstrual practices, enabling eco-friendly menstrual product adoption and mitigating health concerns related to inadequate washing facilities. This gives potential users confidence to adopt cost saving reusables thereby helping eradicate period poverty and enabling access to the market for at-home testing of menstrual blood for key health concerns. 

The company’s innovative solution was to develop an installable menstrual cup washer and sanitiser within toilet cubicles of various public locations, such as offices, gyms, cinemas, stadiums, airports, tourist attractions and other public infrastructures.

The Solution

Interface introduced The Bettii Pod Ltd, together with their designers Fearsome Ltd, to West College Scotland and with the help of Innovation Voucher Funding, the project to develop the world’s first menstrual cup washer and sanitiser for away-from-home environments was born. The collaboration involved extensive research, design, review of key, potentially limiting regulations, and the creation of a lab-based prototype.

The project looked at designing an installable sanitary washer, identifying related infrastructure requirements, and developing installation training. The outcome of the initial phase is the process design of a sanitary menstrual cup washer with the potential for global installation. 

The partnership utilised the technical expertise of the College and active engagement from Bettii Pod’s product development team to design a prototype and toolkit, laying the foundation for commercial viability. The academic team’s support filled crucial gaps in electrical and plumbing expertise, providing insights into design alterations’ impact on sustainability and compliance with standards. This collaborative effort ensures the product’s alignment with industry standards and efficient installation requirements. 

The support from the technical academic staff became invaluable providing crucial insights into the entire design process, from the conceptual stage to compliance and manufacturing. Their expertise was particularly beneficial in assessing how design alterations could positively impact sustainability, with a specific focus on Ingress Protection (IP) which determines the different degrees of protection of the enclosures of electrical and electronic equipment against external elements, IK rating which is defined in international standards and indicates a product’s resistance to mechanical impact, and Water Regulations Approval Scheme (WRAS) compliance.  

This unique contribution filled a critical gap in Bettii Pod’s capabilities, ensuring that the product design would meet the necessary standards and considerations for long-term success. The academic team’s input was instrumental in addressing challenges that could not be sourced elsewhere or managed internally, highlighting the pivotal role they played in the development of the project. 

The lab prototype was developed, eradicating key operational and installation barriers giving the Company much needed assurance as to the commercial applicability of their innovation.

This product boasts a pioneering design that sets it apart as the first of its kind, addressing a critical gap in the market with no comparable alternatives currently available. Full market analysis and proof of concept have now been completed. The lab-based prototype is finalised with patents to be registered in early 2025. 

The collaboration between The Bettii Pod Ltd and West College Scotland represents a ground-breaking effort to revolutionize menstrual care, promote sustainability, and address societal period, reusables and health challenges. By combining industry expertise with academic insights, the partnership has created a pioneering product with significant potential for societal and environmental impact. Ongoing collaboration will ensure a successful development and integration of the product into the market, emphasizing a commitment to innovation, standards compliance, and mutual success.

The Bettii Pod Ltd and West College Scotland continue to work together to develop and introduce the product to the marketplace.

The Benefits

In January 2024, CPI is convening pharma partners, industry, funding
agencies, regulators and, most importantly, innovators for three days of discussion
around technological challenges faced by the industry.

The event will occur over 3 days, with each day covering a different area:

16th January 2024: Sustainability
17th January 2024: New Modalities
18th January 2024: Digital

Innovators, including established SMEs, recent university spin-outs, and academics are invited to showcase their technology at the event in a short pitch
session — an opportunity to give a brief overview of the technology and highlight
its potential applications and impact on pharmaceutical manufacturing.
As an innovator, you will receive valuable feedback on your technology from the
industry and funding body experts, and understand the opportunities for your
technology, the risks to adoption, and existing gaps.


For more information on this event, please follow the button below.

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Background

Therme Group is an industry leader in the wellbeing sector with multiple major water-based wellbeing facilities throughout Europe with new facilities in the UK and Canada under construction.

Therme’s guiding philosophy is “Wellbeing for all” which delivers a holistic approach to wellbeing and includes a social outreach dimension to make the facilities available to all of the community in the city regions where they have sites. This holistic approach encompasses the aesthetics and design of the built environment, the impact of the water based, and other wellbeing treatments offered and extends to nutrition and the sources of food offered on site.

Therme UK has plans to open a major new £125M facility on the Clyde serving as the regional centre in Scotland to deliver Therme UK’s 90:90 UK access strategy. This seeks to position Therme facilities such that 90% of the UK population are within 90 minutes’ drive of a Therme facility.

The Challenge

Therme Group have five main guiding principles and areas of focus around which they build their business model and facilities. These are Health, Equity, Security, Learning and Environment. In each case they are interested in strategic research partners that can help Therme as a group deliver improved operational delivery, minimise environmental impact and ultimately improve customer experience.

They have developed subject specific strategic research & development (R&D) relationships with the University of Florence for the built environment and in Scotland they have supported research activity in the University of Glasgow and James Hutton Institute (Dundee) developing frameworks of wellbeing and food technology respectively.

The collaboration facilitated by Interface came about from the combination of a planned major facility in Glasgow and the recognition of the strength in the University of Glasgow in four key areas of research, Wellbeing Research, Informing Policy, Wellbeing Technology and Environmental Technology directly relevant to Therme’s long term needs. This led to a feasibility study, supported by Interface, which provided an evidence base for exploring the creation of a global Centre of Wellbeing Research Excellence (WellEX) in Glasgow.

The Solution

Interface made initial introduction and discussions between Therme Group and the University of Glasgow who successfully applied to the Inward investment Catalyst Fund to support a WellEX feasibility.

The basis of the feasibility study was to raise awareness of the opportunity and develop connections between senior management at the Therme Group responsible for Innovation and the relevant Business, Social Science, Health and Technology academics and departments within the University. In particular, the feasibility exercise and subsequent discussions identified four areas of future collaboration where Therme’s interests and the University of Glasgow’s expertise aligned.

These included:

Wellbeing innovations: Therme Group is primarily interested in understanding how wellbeing improvement can be brought about for individuals and populations, and the broader benefits of wellbeing on society, the economy, and the environment through evidence-based research.

Informing policy: Through close collaboration with the local government and communities, the research conducted by WellEX is expected to support the work of the University of Glasgow to explore, validate, and inform wellbeing strategies and policies at the local and national levels, working to understand the complexity of policy intervention.

Wellbeing technology: To explore, develop and test “wellbeing technology” focused on improving the effects of wellbeing innovations and users’ experience within and outside Therme Group sites.

Sustainability practices: To explore and validate sustainability practices for Therme wellbeing activities and facilities to leverage renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emissions.

The feasibility study validated the concept of a Global Centre of Excellence, providing an evidence base for a Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) funding application in 2022 and ongoing funding applications.

The findings showed that the University of Glasgow was well placed to both anchor and act as an international R&D hub for Therme’s aspirations to develop a world-class centre of excellence in wellbeing. The planned development of a major new facility in Glasgow, serving the Scottish population catchment area, offers a unique opportunity to create such a WellEX and capture the significant research, societal and economic benefits this would bring to Scotland.

The University of Glasgow are commited to developing this proposition further and presenting a full business case for consideration by Therme Group, the University, and strategic partners such as Glasgow City Council and Scottish Government agencies, including Scottish Funding Council (SFC), Scottish Development International (SDI), and Scottish Enterprise (SE).

The Benefits

This project benefitted from the Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund. The Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund launched by Interface and the Scottish Government promotes Scotland as a leading destination for inward investment and supports businesses not yet located in Scotland but seeking to establish stronger ties with academia here. As well as funding research and development it provides an opportunity for the company to establish relationships and give insight into other aspects of the Scottish landscape, such as further investment opportunities, supply chains and the skills base to strengthen the case for investing in Scotland.

The DHI Rural Centre of Excellence project in Moray is supporting the delivery of additional educational opportunities, courses, and skills provision – both for people interested in a career in digital health and care and for current and future frontline health and care staff in need of understanding digital ways of working. We also want to raise awareness about the types of jobs, career opportunities, and skills requirements associated with digital health and care.

Digital technology is transforming the health and care sector. This will affect the way health and social care is delivered in Moray and will have an impact on the skills and capabilities required by the workforce.

The event is free to attend, and you can expect to:

SPEAKERS

Simon Bokor-Ingram, Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Moray
Janette Hughes, Director of Planning and Performance, Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI)
Sanna Rimpiläinen, Head of Research and Skills, Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI)
Rosemary McCormack, Head of Curriculum, UHI Moray
Dylan White, Principal Lead, NHS Youth Academy
Ruth Cochrane, Lead Academic, Glasgow School of Art Innovation School
Andrew Ord, Account Executive, Microsoft


There will also be representatives from NHS Grampian, Scottish Care, the Cognitive Assistive Robotic Environments (CARE) Group at Heriot-Watt University, Scottish AI Alliance, Skills Development Scotland, Education Scotland, and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

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