Innovation


budding innovators who we know are within the NHS Scotland ranks but are perhaps unsure of where to start. My message to them is simple – reach out for the support you need. No one is taking present day challenges for granted but they will only be exacerbated if we do not take action now and inspire our innovators to help shape a better future.


About Innoscot


InnoScot Health works in partnership with NHS Scotland to identify, protect, develop and commercialise healthcare innovations to improve patient care. Formed in 2002, formerly known as Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (SHIL), InnoScot Health is a private company registered in Scotland (SC236303) and limited by guarantee with three shareholders – Scottish Ministers through the chief scientist office, NHS Tayside and the Golden Jubilee national hospital.


COMMENT with RICHARD CORBRIDGE


Making the NHS a testbed for innovation


CSJ About the author


Graham Watson is the Executive Chair of InnoScot Health which works in partnership with NHS Scotland to identify, protect, develop and commercialise healthcare innovations to improve patient care. Formed in 2002, formerly known as Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (SHIL), InnoScot Health is a private company registered in Scotland (SC236303) and limited by guarantee with three shareholders – Scottish Ministers through the chief scientist office, NHS Tayside and the Golden Jubilee national hospital. InnoScot Health’s multidisciplinary team


uses specialised knowledge to help bring new ideas and innovations from healthcare professionals to life. The organisation provides expert services including intellectual property advice and protection, regulatory expertise, project management, idea incubation, funding advice, development and commercialisation, and post-commercialisation monitoring.


62 www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I November 2025


With more than £40 billion of fresh commitments from global technology leaders, such as Google and Microsoft, the UK must prove it can convert tech investment into sustainable transformation, says leading UK CIO and BCS Fellow, Richard Corbridge... The next phase of UK technology growth depends not only on AI algorithms and software, but also on the infrastructure, skills, and trust frameworks that enable them to thrive. Energy resilience, advanced connectivity, and ethical governance will determine whether the UK becomes a leader in digital innovation or falls behind. But where do we test these investments at scale? The answer is the NHS. There are six ways this can be supported: 1. Establish and enforce common standards: Every NHS clinician can tell a story of wasted time navigating multiple incompatible systems. Enforcing common standards is the only way to end this. By adopting Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) frameworks for health records, coding systems such as SNOMED CT for clinical coding, and strict procurement rules that reward interoperability, the NHS will create an environment where systems can talk to each other, reliably, securely, and at scale. 2. Invest in core digital infrastructure: Improving NHS interoperability depends on strong digital foundations. Too many Trusts still rely on outdated systems that cannot connect with each other, leading to delays and errors. Upgrading to modern, cloud-based platforms would make sharing data more reliable and secure. Expanding programmes like the Federated Data Platform can link local systems while allowing Trusts to keep control of their information. Basic infrastructure matters: healthcare providers need fast, stable internet and reliable hardware. Without these essentials, even the best digital tools won’t work effectively. 3. Create a national “digital spine”: A “digital spine” that gives every patient one secure health record that follows them from GP, to hospital, to community care would act as the central nervous system of NHS data. Instead of juggling multiple logins and disconnected systems, clinicians could view the same up-to-date information. Building on tools like the NHS App and Summary Care Record, this cuts duplication and delays, and improves safety. 4. Workforce training and culture change: To enhance digital transformation, the NHS must invest in workforce training, equipping clinicians with skills to use new systems and understand data-sharing and patient safety benefits. Engaging front-line staff in the design of interoperable digital solutions is crucial to ensure usability and reduce resistance. Strengthening digital leadership by appointing more Chief Clinical Information Officers (CCIOs) and Chief Nursing Information Officers (CNIOs) will help champion adoption at a local level. Training the 1.4 million strong NHS workforce in digital competencies won’t just improve patient care; it will create one of the largest digitally literate workforces in the world. 5. Governance and incentives: Clear, transparent patient consent models are essential, so individuals understand and control how their data is shared. Progress on interoperability benchmarks should be linked to funding allocations, incentivising compliance, while robust cybersecurity standards are also critical to protect against evolving threats, learning from incidents such as WannaCry. 6. Partner with industry, but on NHS terms Lastly, the NHS should leverage partnerships with industry to accelerate digital innovation while maintaining control and avoiding vendor lock-in. Promoting open APIs ensures data can flow seamlessly across different systems, regardless of supplier, supporting interoperability. Encouraging SME HealthTech companies by providing innovation “sandboxes” allows testing of new solutions in a safe, controlled environment. This fosters a competitive, flexible ecosystem that drives technological progress, improves patient care, and ensures the NHS can adopt cutting-edge digital tools without being dependent on a single provider. Ultimately, by addressing these six core priorities, the NHS could become the flagship for the UK’s digital economy, showing the world how to translate investment into innovation that changes lives.


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