Scotland’s Techscaler network partners with NHS

A partnership between the NHS and the Scottish Techscaler support network will allow participating companies to test health products in clinical settings. 

The Techscaler programme connects startups with other entrepreneurs, training, workspaces and industry support, it is backed by £42m in funding from the Scottish Government. 

Thanks to this partnership, participants will now be offered access to the NHS Regional Test Beds, enabling entrepreneurs to work with clinicians and test products and services with patients and anonymised data.

Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray visited a company which uses robotics to aid stroke survivors to make the announcement of the new agreement. He said: ‘Testing products in a real world environment and accelerating development is vital, and will enable a broader reach of the Tech Scaler programme. 

‘This in turn will benefit patients and medical staff as they develop cutting-edge technology for use across the NHS, from stroke and rehabilitation through to reducing drug-related deaths.’ 

As part of a reciprocal agreement, the partnership also means that any companies already utilising the NHS test beds will now become members of the Techscaler network. 

Mr Gray praised the Scottish life sciences sector during his announcement, pointing to the sectors £8bn annual turnover as one of the reasons it is one of the countries key sectors for ‘transformative economic growth.’ 

The network was first announced by former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last year and saw the creation of seven tech hubs throughout Scotland and was created after a recommendation in the 2020 Scottish Tech Ecosystem Review by Chief Entrepreneur Mark Logan. 

Mr Logan said of the new NHS partnership: ‘By making this connection between health testing and business support, we create an environment for innovation which enables Scottish companies to compete effectively, whilst bringing much-needed treatment solutions to the NHS.’ 

The NHS has consistently worked with private companies on innovative health products, including a recent trial of helper bots in Milton Keynes which assisted in the delivery of drugs between departments thus alleviating constant journeys through the hospital by pharmacy staff.

Photo by Samuel Goodwin