Why Scotland has just what the doctor might order

Published on Saturday 5 September 2009 19:54

SCOTLAND is ideally placed to lead the way in creating healthcare technologies for the global market, experts said yesterday ahead of a summit on the issue.

Strathclyde University and the Institute for System Level Integration will bring together business leaders and academic researchers this month to identify growth opportunities in healthcare.

Technologies to be explored include wireless sensors to monitor well-being and devices that allow remote diagnosis.

The market was worth around 122 billion in 2007 and is expected to be worth three times that level by 2012.

Professor Patricia Connolly of the Strathclyde Institute of Medical Devices at the University of Strathclyde, said: "The need for new technologies to tackle healthcare problems – and improve preventive medicine – has never been greater.

"With an ageing population, new devices are needed to help people manage existing medical problems at home and prevent new illnesses occurring.

"The rise of home blood pressure and glucose monitors is an example of how people can monitor their own health to ensure early detection and prevent potentially life-threatening conditions developing.

"Equally, in a clinical environment, there is a clear demand for new imaging and diagnostic equipment, as well as intelligent medical devices for surgery and rehabilitation.

"Scotland has a proven track record as a leader in electronic technology and a pioneer of medical devices.

"By bringing together expertise from the engineering, science and medicine sectors, we are ideally placed to meet the international demand forhealthcare innovations."

Professor David Wyper of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, a keynote speaker at the event, added: "Delivery of new instruments, devices and technologies for patient benefit in the 21st century will depend heavily on close co-operation between clinicians, academics and industrialists and we are happy to be at the forefront."