As we enter 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic persists and it continues to be a challenging time for all personally and professionally. SHIL, however, remains fully committed to supporting the pressured NHS as it adapts, develops and strengthens in response. Indeed, our SHIL COVID-19 Innovation Call closes on 31 January, encouraging health and social care professionals to submit innovative ideas, providing a platform to emerge from the pandemic stronger. There is already evidence of ideas that could be game-changing in the fight against COVID-19.
 
SHIL spin-out Coronex Ltd, is testament to this. Motivated by the pandemic, experts from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have worked with SHIL, and a range of Scottish and UK-based biotechnology industry partners, to develop a game-changing platform for lateral flow (LF) tests. The technology to detect SARS-Cov-2 antibodies can be adapted easily and rapidly to detect antibodies to new variants and could play an important role in the monitoring of antibody responses to vaccination over time.
 
It is just one example of collaborative innovation and demonstrates the vital importance of SHIL’s role in supporting, facilitating, and accelerating forward-thinking approaches to health challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, alongside almost 20 years of supporting innovation across NHS Scotland, has set the backdrop for a soon to be released five-year strategy outlining the directional aspirations of the organisation up to 2026 and placing SHIL at the heart of an entrepreneurial Scotland.
 
Also this month, recruitment closes for an Innovation Manager at SHIL and registration remains open for Scotland’s CAN DO Innovation Summit on 3 February including a focussed session on NHS health and social innovation challenges for SMEs.

We hope you enjoy this issue of INSIGHT. As always we develop our publications based on your feedback, so please get in touch via info@shil.co.uk and don't forget to follow @ScotHealthinno for daily health innovation news and insight.