Health and Social Care Structures

Part of NHS Research Scotland (NRS) Network of Data Safe Havens are available in each NRS node. A Data Safe Haven is a secure environment supported by trained staff and agreed processes whereby health data can be processed and linked with other health data (and/or non-health related data) and made available in a de-identified form for analysis to facilitate research. It is a safeguard for confidential information which is being used for research purposes. Any researchers applying for access to health data must adhere to the Safe Haven principles.

Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES) is an Innovation Test Bed set up by the Scottish Government Chief Scientists’ Office which forms part of national network created to deliver the Government’s vision to utilise the innovation process to deliver a healthier and wealthier nation for the future. Formed through a collaboration of three NHS Boards— Borders, Fife and Lothian, with the latter taking on the role of lead host Board, HISES has a pivotal role in delivering innovative solutions to the health and social challenges, both regionally and nationally.

The major research Boards across Scotland - North (NHS Grampian), East (NHS Tayside), South (NHS Lothian) and West (NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde) - play a leading role in supporting the delivery of research and R&D. Directors from these Health Boards form part of the NRS Strategy Board providing regional expertise and an in-depth view of research activity across Scotland.

The Test Bed Innovation Model brings together three regional areas in Scotland that are committed to delivering the CSO Service Level Agreement Priorities of: 1) creating additional capacity with industry, academia and others to run open innovation challenges; increasing the quality of industrial innovation collaboration projects to deliver solutions to health and social care strategic priorities, whilst also delivering economic growth; providing support for academic-led Triple Helix open innovation collaborations.

A series of video links to innovation test bed examples.

A service brand of of National Services Scotland, National Procurement & Logistics undertakes buying and supplying items for Scotland's hospitals and health centres. Its remit also includes the Health Innovation Assessment Portal  (HIAP) where innovators can submit their innovation and have it assessed.  

Within the remit of Health Improvement Scotland, SHTG is a national health technology assessment (HTA) agency. It provides evidence, support and advice to NHSScotland on the use of new and existing health technologies which are not medicines and which are likely to have significant implications for people's care.

Within the remit of Health Improvement Scotland, SMC is a national source of advice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of all new medicines for NHSScotland. It accepts for use those newly-licensed medicines that clearly represent good value for money to NHSScotland.

Within the remit of Health Improvement Scotland, the ihub was established to support those who are delivering health and social care across Scotland, including Health and Social Care Partnerships, local authorities, NHS boards, third and independent care sector organisations, and housing organisations.