Expert insight from NHS Research Scotland We live in a world where data means a lot. But what if some of that data only creates the illusion of control, while actually making it harder to make decisions? This uncomfortable truth was explored in depth by Irina McLean, Health and Social Care Research Coordinator at NHS Research Scotland. Her work focuses on transforming how we collect and use real-world data — particularly in care homes. Scotland is a small country. We have a 5.5 million population and out of that, nearly 3% reside in care homes. Without which, a lot of…

Doctor Paul Hercock: “90% of medtech startups never make it to market.” How the absence of a go‑to‑market plan kills promising technologies. For every device that successfully reaches the market, there are about ten that are abandoned long before launch. Even among those that clear regulatory hurdles, a significant number fail to achieve commercial success. The reason often isn’t the quality of the solutions or a lack of expertise, but the absence of a clear go‑to‑market strategy and consideration of all stakeholders in the healthcare system. Clinicians involved in development often know what the market needs, but don’t know how…

The market for medical software is booming, but behind this growth lie growing risks. In the race for hypergrowth, both startups and large companies are increasingly launching products before fully validating their safety and effectiveness. This approach allows them to grab a market share quickly, but on the flip side, it can pose threats to patient safety and lead to serious regulatory issues.