We were delighted to host another opportunity for the Design Community of Practice to come together in-person on 12 March 2025.
The day provided the chance for members to network, hear from speakers and pose questions to the panel.
Dr Alyson Walker, Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Anaesthetist at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, talked about using co-design to create a child-friendly operating theatre experience.
Alyson shared the story of her team’s journey in design to create improvements to their children's operating theatres, in particular the physical environment.
Using the double diamond framework, they gained a deep understanding of the need for improvements. They built a multidisciplinary team, consisting of diverse professionals from the design community alongside those from the healthcare sector. From tiny initial changes, momentum grew and led to the redesign of Scotland's largest children's operating theatre department.
It required tenacity, but their project shows that trusting in the design process can lead to useful improvements.
Read the synopsis of Alyson's presentation.
We are unable to share Alyson's slides due to these containing clinical images.
Andrew Quinn, Lead Service Designer at National Services Scotland talked about gamification and levelling up your impact.
Andrew shared how the NSS service transformation team is using gamification and serious play to bring research to life for decision makers and drive true user-centred change.
Panel Q&A
The panel discussion explored the challenges, successes, and strategies involved in embedding design approaches in complex environments like healthcare, policing, and wider public services. The conversation provided valuable insights on creating sustainable change, influencing mindsets, and driving better outcomes through design.
Read the synopsis of the discussion
Scottish Approach to Change
Clare Morrison, Director of Engagement & Change, introduced the Scottish Approach to Change framework, designed to support meaningful and sustainable change in healthcare and beyond.
Clare emphasised that creating lasting change requires more than just NHS efforts — it demands collaboration across sectors and services.
Why is Scottish Approach to Change Needed?
Previous attempts at improvement often failed because teams left before changes were fully embedded, resulting in gaps in skills, capacity, and culture. The approach addresses this by building on multidisciplinary methods with a strong focus on people at the centre of change to ensure change is both achievable and sustainable.
Key Features of the Framework:
• Flexible and Adaptable: The Scottish Approach to change is not a fixed method or set of rules — it's a flexible approach designed to help teams choose the right tools and methods for their specific challenges.
• Online Resource: A new online resource will support frontline staff, leadership teams, and change practitioners by offering simple guidance on selecting suitable methods without over-complicating things.
• Empowering Teams: The framework emphasises empowering people to make informed decisions about the best approach to deliver change.
A short video of the day will be available to view here shortly.