UK News

This collaboration will give patients tools to engage with their health services

A collaboration between the NHS, academia, and industry partners has been launched to improve the general health of the population and expand clinical research, to co-create NHS Scotland transformation through large scale programmes.

This partnership has the potential to change clinical practice, improve patient outcomes, and reduce waiting times, with an initial focus on long term conditions and priorities set by the Scottish Government.

NHS Golden Jubilee’s national Centre for Sustainable Delivery, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, University of Glasgow, AstraZeneca UK, and Lenus Health have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enable large-scale clinical trials and studies in Scotland, among other goals.

The expansion of clinical research will promote the profile of Scotland and change clinical practice around the world. Close collaboration between the NHS, academia, and other industry partners is anticipated to create many opportunities to expand the Scottish economy.

Professor Julie Brittenden, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Director of Research and Innovation said: “We are already seeing great success in our COVID-19 recovery, with a growth in the number of transformative studies involving novel medicines, devices, digital enabled technologies and artificial intelligence.

“This collaboration further adds to the opportunity to undertake high quality research and innovation projects such as OPERA, which will directly impact on and improve patientcentred care.”

Paul McGinness, CEO, Lenus Health said: “As the exclusive digital partner of this unique agreement, we are delighted to be part of a new way of working that will enable innovations to be developed and implemented rapidly at scale in Scotland and across the NHS.

“Through our work supporting patients to manage long-term conditions using virtual care and AI platforms, we have seen first-hand how it can reduce waiting lists and prevent readmissions.

“By joining up data across clinical pathways and giving patients tools to engage with their health services, providers can significantly improve outcomes and enable more personalised healthcare.

“Not only will this agreement help expand these benefits at scale, but the commitment to the Scottish digital health and artificial intelligence ecosystem will also be beneficial to the local economy by encouraging investment in the technology sector and generating jobs.”