Scotland will roll out ECG patch monitors to 8,000 stroke patients each year after £1.9m in government funding.
The investment will expand access to ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) patch monitors for patients recovering from stroke, ministers confirmed.
Government research suggests the monitors could prevent 689 secondary strokes and save 319 lives over five years.
Health secretary Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Government is clear that innovation will play a key role in reforming Scotland’s health service and ensuring it remains able to meet the health challenges of a changing world.
“Projects such as this one are vital to improving patient outcomes, saving lives and enabling the NHS to treat people quicker and more effectively.
“This investment in innovative technology will make a real difference to the lives of thousands of stroke patients across Scotland.
“By accelerating diagnosis and treatment, we can help prevent recurrent strokes and improve health outcomes.
“The use of these new patch monitors is a fantastic example of how we are adopting cutting-edge solutions to renew Scotland’s NHS and ensure it can continue to deliver high-quality, efficient care.”
The compact, wireless and water-resistant devices are worn on the skin for up to 14 days and track heart rhythm to detect atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat that increases stroke risk.
The patches are expected to be four times more effective than current methods, cutting diagnosis and treatment delays from up to 24 months to just three weeks.
Smaller and easier to use than traditional monitors, the patches also provide quicker, more accurate data, helping doctors make faster treatment decisions.
Research indicates efficiency savings equal to 15.7 full-time cardiac physiologists, with potential NHS cost reductions of up to £14.6m over five years.
Patients will also travel less, with patches available during diagnosis or posted directly to homes.
National rollout aims to reduce regional inequalities in care.
Katie Cuthbertson, national director for the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), said: “Through the accelerated national innovation adoption (ANIA) pathway, we are rapidly scaling technologies that have the power to transform lives.
“The rollout of ECG patch monitors is a prime example of how innovation can drive better outcomes across the NHS.
“By detecting atrial fibrillation earlier and more accurately, we are not only preventing recurrent strokes but also freeing up vital clinical capacity to support other cardiac services.”
