Strengths

Skills and expertise

  • Life sciences in Scotland employs over 32,000 people across 640 organisations, with a core specialisation in human health care
  • Scotland has a long history of innovation in medical care dating back to the 1500s, which can help to support this relatively new market

Specific achievements

  • Scotland is the focus for trials of new social care alarm devices
  • Scotland leads the way in lone worker technology, thanks to our natural geographic challenges which create a natural demand for the products
  • Scotland has produced technology such as electronic sports devices for children

Supportive infrastructure

  • 29 institutes are currently carrying out research into wellness technology related subjects, these include academic establishments and other centres of excellence across the country
  • Scotland provides an excellent base for research and is home to three companies which were named in the top 1000 R&D investment companies in 2009
  • Each year over 10,000 students graduate from Scotland’s universities in medical, engineering and related fields, specialising in subjects such as imaging, cardiovascular instrumentation, opthalmics, orthopaedics and implants
  • 17 science parks embedded in university research centres as well as industry-led network organisations
  • Extensive business support is available to companies trading in Scotland
  • A wide range of government-led centres of excellence, professional development centres and academic research institutes, help to shape the industry

Cost-competitive

  • Scotland offers an excellent cost-effective base for wellness technology manufacturing when compared to other European locations, according to 'FDI Magazine' (Foreign Direct Investment Magazine)