The East Lothian Rehabilitation Service (ELRS) has been acknowledged for its achievements at the Digital Health and Care Awards 2025. Held in Edinburgh last month, the service was selected as a finalist in two categories, though it did not ultimately win.
The awards recognize outstanding contributions from individuals and teams within the health, social care, and housing sectors.
ELRS was nominated for the Data Driven Innovation Award, which highlights digital solutions that leverage data to revolutionize health and social care. The ELRS’s Inreach Pathway team received recognition for its pioneering digital approach to patient-centered care, delivering early specialist assessments and discharge planning for East Lothian residents who are admitted to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Over the past 23 months, the Inreach initiative has supported 1,601 patient discharges. This has helped to avoid approximately 3,573 bed days, resulting in savings of £1.4 million.
Lesley Berry, general manager and chief allied health professional for ELRS, stated, “The Inreach service has truly transformed the journey from hospital to home for East Lothian residents.” She added, “While we are pleased to be finalists for this award, the true success of this initiative lies with the human stories and feedback from patients and families who express their gratitude for the personalized support that enables them to return home safely and with confidence.”
ELRS was also a finalist in the Technology Enabled Independent Living Award category, which acknowledges innovative methods of using digital health technology to improve lives. Through its Technology Enabled Care service, ELRS is promoting staff development, integrating consumer technology into clinical practice, and engaging with the public to empower individuals to live independently and safely within their communities. An essential component of this initiative involves bi-monthly public drop-in sessions, held at the Well Wynd Hub in Tranent, offering demonstrations of consumer technology.
Fiona Wilson, chief officer of East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, commented, “Digital technology plays a crucial role in facilitating patient recovery and preventive measures, assisting individuals in living independently at home.” She further stated, “Our primary goal is to offer ‘home-first’ solutions, enabling individuals to recover safely in their own homes. Consumer digital technology has made a significant impact in this area, and we are delighted that the efforts of our technology-enabled care team have enabled us to integrate digital solutions into our clinical recovery pathways effectively, truly embodying our commitment to promoting person-centered care and independence.”
For further details about ELRS and how digital technology supports independent living at home, visit eastlothian.gov.uk/elrs
