National rollout of programmes to help people with type 2 diabetes, stroke patients and babies born with a rare genetic condition will be supported by additional Scottish government funding.

An extra £6m is to be invested into the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway, an NHS Scotland initiative aimed at speeding up the national roll-out of high-impact health innovations.

Over two thirds of the funding will go towards the rollout of a national digital intensive weight management service, to support 3,000 people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

The programme involves diet replacements and intensive online support to maintain weight loss, and is expected to help around 40% of participants achieve remission from the condition.

A University of Glasgow Professor and Honorary Consultant on the project, Professor Mike Lean, said it marks a “very significant” step forward by the Scottish government:

“It will amplify the message widely to other patients and their families, that this condition can be put into remission with weight loss. 

“Appetite is a very powerful, genetically-driven, force, so many people are not successful without extra support. This professionally-supported diet programme will allow people in Scotland who most need help to be successful.”

Judith Kennon, Healthcare Engagement and Systems Change Manager at Diabetes Scotland – which funded initial research into the programme – added that achieving remission from type 2 diabetes can be “life-changing” and having support through this process is critical.

Pharmacogenetics

Two additional projects will look at pharmacogenetics – how a person’s genetics affect their response to certain drugs.

A project testing stroke patients for a genetic variation that impairs the benefits of a medicine commonly prescribed to reduce their risk secondary stroke will receive £1.1m.

It builds on a successful NHS Tayside trial which will help inform prescribers’ decisions and limit the risk of a second stroke.

Meanwhile, a programme testing newborn babies for a genetic variation which puts them at risk of permanent hearing loss if they are treated with a common emergency antibiotic will receive £800,000.

Dr Helen McDevitt, Consultant Neonatologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said national roll out of this initiative will prevent deafness in a significant number of newborns each year.

She added: “It's exciting that Scotland is at the forefront of developing precision medicine from birth onwards.”

Dr Alex Doney, NHS Tayside Consultant, said testing for common genetic variation makes it possible for doctors to choose the best medicines for individual patients.

He said: “The initiatives announced today are welcome news and this will help pave the way for realisation of broader future patient benefits of genomic technology in the NHS.”

Academia, industry and NHS Scotland working together

A digital dermatology pathway, which allows GPs and nurses to securely share images of patients’ skin conditions with dermatologists, was one of the first innovations to be approved for national rollout through the ANIA pathway.

Additional funding for the pathway has been welcomed by the Chief Executive of NHS Golden Jubilee – the host board of the Centre for Sustainable Delivery which oversees the pathway.

The funding announcement also been welcomed by Chief Scientist for Health, Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, who said:

“Scotland’s triple helix of industry, academia and our NHS are working in partnership to lead a scientific revolution which has the power to transform healthcare.

“These are excellent examples of research enabled, clinically beneficial and cost-effective innovations, which should be prioritised for national adoption.”

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray said that digital innovation is a crucial part of the government’s vision for NHS Scotland renewal and reform.

Announcing the funding during a parliamentary debate on health innovation, he said these projects demonstrate the “transformative potential” of scientific and technological innovation when it comes to improving health and social care, adding:

“These projects have life changing effects for those who will benefit from them, resulting in improved health outcomes and a better quality of life.

“Innovation is transforming healthcare and delivering medical benefits for the people of Scotland and the NHS, which will see reduced pressures as a direct result of projects just like these.”

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