Industry Briefing with the Director of Digital Health and Care from the Scottish Government
Jonathon began by providing an overview of the collective focus and unifying objective that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting that putting people at the heart of this response and adopting a ‘no man left behind’ mantra had been crucial. He noted that, almost overnight, citizens had become data experts, with a notable shift in the market whereby more and more people were demanding to know what was happening with their health data.
As well as providing an overview of Scotland’s upcoming digital health and care strategy, Jonathon spoke to the anticipated launch of a consultation for their upcoming data. This strategy will look to support a continual focus on prevention and inequalities, strengthening links between care at home, housing support, and other aspects of care. It will also reflect an increased emphasis on clinical safety and informatics. Jonathon highlighted that the need to be highly reactive had subsided somewhat, allowing for a clearer focus on transformation. techUK will look to work with industry to respond to this consultation once open.
Among other priorities, Jonathon outlined that the Scottish Government were looking to:
- Move forward with open data sharing, supporting users and driving innovation
- Promote the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre as a focal point for new ideas, as well as data lab geared towards supporting SMEs
- Promote the CivTech programme, which aims to challenge the innovation process and encourage industry to solve challenges that providers had not been able to, further supporting SMEs in the process
- Establish a national digital platform and API gateway that will make it much easier to bring in other systems and other sources
- Launch Digital Identity Scotland within the next year
- Realise the potential of digital health solutions that facilitate remote health work to support the wider climate response
techUK will look to hold a follow up session with the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre. If you have any questions regarding this session do not hesitate to get in touch.
Robert Walker
Robert Walker
Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.
Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.
Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!
- Email:
- [email protected]
Viola Pastorino
Viola Pastorino
Viola Pastorino is a policy, governance, and strategic communication specialist.
She joined techUK as the Junior Programme Manager in the Health and Care Team in April 2024.
She has obtained a Bachelor of Sciences in Governance, Economics, and Development from Leiden University, and a Master's programme in Strategic Communications at King's College London. Her academic background, leading up to a dissertation on AI policy influence and hands-on campaign development, is complemented by practical experience in international PR and grassroots project management.
She is skilled in qualitative and quantitative analysis and comfortable communicating findings to varying stakeholders. Above all, she is deeply passionate about the intersection of technology and government, especially how technology and global discourse shape one another, the processes that lead to belief polarisation and radicalisation of communities, and crafting strategic narratives that steer public discourse.
Outside of work she loves reading, live music light operation, and diving.
Clara Hewitt
Clara Hewitt
Clara joined techUK in October 2023. She brings experience across a range of domestic and global health issues, with particular focus on digital health, HIV/AIDS and climate change and health.
Clara holds an MSc in Global Health and Development (University College London) and a BSc in Psychology (University of Birmingham).
Rachel Kennedy
Rachel Kennedy
Rachel joined techUK in December 2024, as a Programme Manager in the Health and Social Care team.
Prior to this, Rachel worked at a specialist health and social care public affairs agency, working with a range of organisations and trade bodies across the medical technology, pharmaceutical, digital health and social care sectors. As well as this, Rachel was part of the Secretariat for a number of health and care related All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
Rachel has a Masters in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Leeds, as well as a first-class honours in Politics BA from Newcastle University.
Tracy Modha
Tracy Modha
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 02073312000
- Twitter:
- @TracyModha,@TracyModha
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83,https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83