Looking back on the past 12 months, much has changed.

On one hand, thanks to incredible hard work and resilience, and the success of the vaccination programme, most of society has been able to take its mask off and feel safer day to day. We have hope and encouragement that the worst of the pandemic is behind us.

On the other, COVID still lingers, and NHS Scotland remains hugely challenged in its attempts to tackle the backlogs which this extraordinary disease has created.

But we should also try to focus on the momentum for change which the virus has necessitated and support further NHS recovery by capitalising on Scotland’s wealth of innovation.

How might we do that? A big takeaway of pandemic learning to my mind is that all involved across the Scottish healthcare landscape should adopt a more collaborative, open-door policy – and I include ourselves in that. Working in silos is inherently inefficient and means restricted capability, less shared knowledge, and lower diversity of thought. Only by looking outward and working together for the achievement of common goals can we truly push the boundaries of the possible here in Scotland.

Indeed, it was only when traditional processes were hastened, and red tape was carefully cut that true pandemic progress was made.

However, looking forward it is clear to me that all involved in healthcare innovation must first take meaningful internal steps to fully realise outward progress on a longer-term basis. To that end, we transformed our identity from Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (SHIL) to InnoScot Health during this, our 20^th anniversary year.

Reinvigorating our digital presence has provided a more modern, welcoming interface as we look to strengthen our support for NHS innovators.

It provides easier, quicker, and more intuitive ways to make contact. We believe the change represents a vibrant mirror of the times; in part a recognition of home working, but also acknowledging that time and resource will always be challenges.

Optimising the ways in which we work with innovators across NHS Scotland will continue to be part of our organisation’s focus.

Fundamentally, it underlines our belief that everyone working across the NHS in this country has the potential to see themselves as an innovator.

We also recognise that such innovation does not happen in isolation. The kernel of a promising idea requires outside support to develop it to its fullest extent, if it is to become a wholly realised invention that can then be targeted to specific areas of need. Unifying the right knowledge, talent, and expertise is central to our work. So, we have been proud this year to sign a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Heriot-Watt University which aims to fast-track innovation in medical and healthcare technologies and better understand clinical and nursing needs.

We have also strengthened our team with the appointment of two new Innovation Managers based in the North and West – an important area of focus as we look to further tap into NHS Scotland’s diverse regional talent. We have also launched new innovation calls encouraging health professionals to submit ground-breaking ideas in areas of specific need and match this with support and expertise to translate ideas originating within our NHS into tangible improvements.

Currently, we are targeting no less than three distinct areas – ophthalmology, sustainability, and frailty – whilst also welcoming ideas to support all parts of the health and social care system.

A cornerstone of InnoScot Health’s success is its continued support for the development of innovative products and services that are making a real difference in healthcare. So, we are also proud this year to see our spin-out CardioPrecision – a global leader in the development of less invasive access solutions for the treatment of structural heart disease and cardiothoracic interventions – introduce its unique technology at the prestigious Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The US is currently the largest medical device market by value in the world and represents a significant scale up for the company.

Across the past 12 months, InnoScot Health has also laid the foundations for sustainable growth, greater efficiency in everyday processes, and digital transformation – the latter undoubtedly a huge prospect in this time of rapid change, and as we start to look beyond the pandemic.

Nevertheless, our ultimate goal will remain the same in 2023 – innovating to help solve problems and address important needs in health and social care; working in partnership to deliver innovation at scale; and creating jobs and fresh opportunity for Scotland.

The NHS is evolving at pace and that is why organisations like InnoScot Health will continue to be so important. That is because we are well placed to enhance and complement that process of change, while helping to reduce pressures and, fundamentally, improving patient outcomes.

In its third decade, InnoScot Health’s door will be open to innovators more than ever, as healthcare is propelled increasingly into a new realm – and we are hugely excited by the collaborative possibilities.