A partnership between the NHS, academia and industry that is providing "unique opportunities" to improve patient care in Scotland is to be extended for a further three years.

The Health Innovation and Transformation Partnership has since 2022 supported a series of research studies, into the impact of new processes and technologies on care pathways, including improving early detection, diagnosis and risk stratification, through to care and treatment of people with long-term conditions.

The partnership is a collaboration between NHS Golden Jubilee’s national Centre for Sustainable Delivery, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, the University of Glasgow, AstraZeneca UK and Lenus Health.

The extension will see the partners work together to create transformation within scheduled and unscheduled care until at least 2027.

Scotland's Chief Scientist for Health, Dame Anna Dominiczak says the large-scale projects are looking at more than just the impact innovations are having on individuals:

“The Health Innovation and Transformation Partnership will help provide unique opportunities to improve patient care, employ new technologies and medicines, while addressing the impact of health inequalities and social barriers to provide a more sustainable future healthcare system.

“The organisations involved in this partnership will bring their individual strengths in this fusion of medical expertise, knowledge and insight focused on innovation to deliver optimal patient outcomes and experiences.”

The projects already underway include:

• Optimised Pathway for Early Identification of Heart Failure in the Community (OPERA) – a collaboration between AstraZeneca UK, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, University of Glasgow, Lenus Health and West of Scotland Innovation teams;
• Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Lung Attacks by early Intervention Strategies (POLARIS);
• Screening for early heart failure diagnosis and Management in Primary care or at Home using Natriuretic peptides and echocardiography (SYMPHONY) – a five-country trial with a Scottish arm called TARTAN-HF); and
• Real world implementation of a supported treatment algorithm to shorten time to treatment in patients admitted with anticoagulation associated major bleeding (RECALL).

Read more: ‘Most extensive’ liver disease study backed by £30m; Health and care innovation: Let 1,000 flowers bloom; 50 years ‘just the beginning’ says Chief Scientist; NHS Scotland forms landmark partnership

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