A formal NHS Scotland partner is backing World Health Day aims by insisting that innovation has a key role to play in realising global equity of access to high quality healthcare for women and babies.
Celebrated on 7 April 2025, this year’s World Health Day focused on maternal and newborn health with a campaign entitled ‘Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures’.
Part of the World Health Day campaign saw governments and the health community urged to reinvigorate efforts to ensure equity of access to high quality healthcare by investing in “proven, high-impact interventions”.
InnoScot Health works closely with NHS Scotland innovators and believes that fresh health service ideas, ranging from new technology to simple adaptations in approach, can be essential in not only improving the short and long-term health of babies, but also to enhance families’ overall experience. It is hosting a free, educational webinar on Wednesday 30 April entitled ‘Aiming for better lifelong outcomes from birth through enhanced innovation’ that will encourage NHS forward-thinkers to think both progressively and inclusively.
The ‘lunch and learn’ session from 12.00-12.45 will be presented by Regulatory Project Manager Paula Sweeten.
She will be joined by guest speaker Neil Patel, Consultant Neonatologist and Clinical Innovation Director at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children who will talk about, and lend his insights, on how equitable innovation can help to provide the best possible care from the first precious moments of life.
The neonatal-focused webinar will align with World Health Day aims, representing a great opportunity to:
- Delve into the forefront of neonatal care in Scotland, exploring cutting-edge advancements, and best practices
- Exchange knowledge and discuss the direction of travel for neonatology care
- Take away practical calls to action that help attendees apply what they have learnt
Paula will offer an overview of InnoScot Health’s developmental support, its commercialisation process, and how it is continuing to work in close collaboration with partners on two new projects, Cozy Cuddle Scrubs (By Stacey)™ and the Hug Holster.
Paula said: “Our April webinar aims to offer both inspiration for the NHS Scotland workforce on what can be achieved in neonatal care when the right knowledge and support is combined, as well as an insight into success stories and how they are achieved.
“We have a significant opportunity to work collaboratively to improve care with new ideas and solutions, whether simple or complex.
“Workforce innovators with breakthrough ideas can be the difference that makes for improved patient outcomes.”
World Health Day organiser, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says improvements must be aimed at early complication detection, lifesaving emergency obstetric care – recognising that most maternal and newborn deaths occur during or shortly after birth – and better specialised care for small and premature babies.
It states: “Women and families everywhere need high quality care that supports them physically and emotionally, before, during, and after birth.”
The WHO says that up to one in five women experience postnatal depression or anxiety. Last year, Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) released new guidelines for perinatal mental health, supporting both clinicians and parents with the aim of improving care and reducing stigma.
A consultant perinatal psychiatrist and co-chair of the HIS guideline development group, Dr Selena Gleadow-Ware said mothers experiencing mental health problems during or after pregnancy is a “surprisingly common” occurrence.
She added: “We know that it’s also difficult to reach out for help, and many are worried about coming forward.
“Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of stigma and fear that if they open up, they will be judged, and perhaps people will think they’re an unfit mother or parent.
“We’re hoping this will help women have access to information and recognise there is support out there and they can get better.”
World Health Day echoes that sentiment, stating: “This is due to hormonal changes. If these feelings become especially intense and/or persist beyond two weeks, seek advice.
“All women have the right to a safe and positive pregnancy, birth, and postnatal experience where they are treated with dignity and respect.”
Head of Project Management at InnoScot Health, Gillian Henderson, pictured, said: “We fully support the message that the health of mothers and babies is the foundation of healthy families and communities, and this vital WHO focus helps to ensure hopeful futures for us all.
“We agree that global inves