Revolutionising healthcare: TayHealthTech’s public engagement in health research

Tay Health Tech is a collaborative initiative dedicated to improving healthcare delivery across the Tayside region. By harnessing cutting-edge technologies and bringing care closer to the communities that need it, Tay Health Tech is shaping the future of community-centred healthcare.

Led by Professor Marc Desmulliez (Heriot-Watt University) and Professor Michael MacDonald (University of Dundee), this initiative embodies a shared vision of innovation and inclusivity. Tay Health Tech works to reduce health inequalities and ensure advanced medical solutions are accessible to all, regardless of location or circumstance.

A Collaborative Effort

The work of Tay Health Tech is rooted in strong partnerships with leading research organisations including Heriot-Watt University, the University of Dundee, the University of Glasgow, the University of St Andrews, Edinburgh Napier University, NHS Tayside, Scottish Enterprise, EPSRC and InnoScot Health. Together with civic partners, further education, and Scotland's health research register, SHARE, we are driving innovation in healthcare delivery through:

• Development and Innovation: Supporting the development and commercialisation of medical technologies.
• Community Engagement: Embedding patient and practitioner insights to co-design healthcare solutions.
• Regional Focus: Tackling health inequalities across Tayside by improving access to high-quality care.

Why Tayside?

Tayside presents a unique opportunity for healthcare transformation. Its diverse mix of urban and rural populations, a wide range of healthcare needs and high reliance on the NHS as the main provider of healthcare in the region, with one of Europe's largest teaching hospitals at Ninewells, creates a rich environment for innovation. By focusing on this region, Tay Health Tech aims to develop solutions that can benefit Scotland and beyond.

What we do

Barriers to healthcare are health inequalities. We want to use technology to reduce these barriers and improve access to healthcare. Focussing on Tayside allows us to create real impact for the region. The pathways and learnings we create here will support Scotland and beyond now and in the future.

We’re listening to the lived expertise of patients, carers and health and social care practitioners to shape our priorities. We’re funding researchers to realise their medical technologies in community environments. This will shift healthcare away from hospital settings and help as much as possible to keep people at home.

Patient and Public Involvement Engagement (PPIE)

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) is essential for advancing healthcare research, particularly when it directly impacts the public. PPIE involves activities that invite participants to learn about a project, share their experiences, and suggest meaningful changes. These contributions are shared with researchers, shaping the next stages of the project and leading to co-designed outcomes.

Find Out More

Heriot-Watt University is proud to play a leading role in this initiative, bringing research expertise and innovative approaches to healthcare challenges.

Learn more about Tay Health Tech and our work by visiting the website here.