A new partnership to develop technology innovations to improve health and pharmacy services in Scotland has been launched.
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS), which represents more than 1,250 pharmacies across Scotland, has joined forces with the Enterprise and Innovation Hub of the HALO, the regeneration project on the site of the former Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock.
As well as exploring new innovations which can be used in pharmacies, the partnership also aims to support entrepreneurial businesses, particularly those involved in digital health.
Students from across Ayrshire are also set to benefit with the partnership offering skills development in health and pharmacy.
Marie Macklin, founder and executive chair of the HALO Urban Regeneration Company, said: “Pharmacies play a vital role in the health sector and are a huge asset to local communities.
“This partnership will see digital and cyber technologies developed at the HALO’s Enterprise and Innovation Hub and will provide CPS with the tools to monitor the skills needs of the pharmacy sector.
Martin Green, chairman of CPS, said: “Health and social care, along with digital technology, have always been sectors which have had to respond to the changing needs of their markets at breakneck speed – but it’s probably fair to say that this doesn’t always happen hand in hand, nor does the pace of upskilling the workforce to utilize emerging technology to its fullest.
“This project aims to buck that trend, bringing together the unique strengths of CPS and The HALO so that we can ensure that digital solutions can be delivered by pharmacy staff with the knowledge and skills required to support self-care and have a real and lasting impact on people’s health outcomes.”
