Introduction
The Scottish Government’s vision for Scotland is to be one of the most innovative small nations globally. Digital Innovation is a key tool to achieving this vision and will be a constant theme beyond Scotland’s ten-year National Innovation Strategy, published by the Scottish Government in June last year.
Only this week, Scotland’s chief medical officer, Sir Gregor Smith, has said innovation can help drive sustainable healthcare as the country faces rising disease levels and climate change.
The anchor for this innovation is our Public Services.
By playing a pivotal role in becoming an anchor customer for innovation in Scotland, this will enhance its own approaches through innovation to encouraging collaboration, supporting growth in priority areas, promoting innovation across the broader Scottish economy and delivering the required outcomes for citizens and employees.
How can BT support?
Digital innovation is essential for Scotland’s Public Sector to enhance services, drive efficiency, and adapt to the evolving digital society landscape. The key to successfully delivering all outcomes is one of co-creation and collaboration. By leveraging our incumbency in terms of connectivity and infrastructure in Scotland as the digital fabric to deliver digital innovation, BT SWAN’s Innovation Fund will assist Members with investment funding and technology expertise. BT will collaborate with Members in a co-creation approach, to design and deliver innovative digital solution use cases, that are scalable and repeatable, that address the many Sector challenges, such as;
- How can a Local Authority increase pupil attainment grades, attendance and deliver equity and equality across education?
- How can a Health Board address waiting times for diagnosis and treatment?
- How can a Local Authority promote its region, its landmarks and business, encouraging more people to visit, spend and stay for longer?
- How does a Health Board reduce its DNAs (Do Not Attends) and the volume of letters sent, with the priority of reducing the financial impact to the NHS?
- How can an organisation prevent the deterioration of buildings and minimise the risk of exposure to the likes of legionella and radon?
- How can a Health Board greatly enhance patient care and transform the working practices of clinical and nursing staff?
Guiding Principles
The Fund’s Guiding Principles is available to all Members and details all aspects of submitting a successful application. Key focus is on the 5 pillars of success as detailed below.
On a final note, we are delighted to announce the first funding initiative’s with NHS Highland and HI Scotland. More details to follow.
For information on the Fund’s Guiding Principles and to request an application form, please email swan.innovation.fund@bt.com
swan.scot
Douglas Adam
Senior Manager, Innovation & Business Development for SWAN at BT Business
