First Minister Visit and Imaging Seminar Highlight Cutting-Edge Innovation at ICE
Published: 30 June 2025
Recent ICE events include visit by Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray and Living Laboratory seminar on medical imaging innovation
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray were welcomed to ICE on Monday, 16th June. The visit formed part of the First Minister’s address to a national audience of public service leaders and innovators, where he set out his vision for renewing Scotland’s NHS - with technology, prevention and early intervention at its core.
Describing the work at ICE as "world-leading", the First Minister spotlighted cutting-edge developments in precision medicine and digital innovation. The visit also highlighted the significant advancements being made in medical imaging, including recognition of the groundbreaking work of Glasgow-based engineering company MR CoilTech as part of the University of Glasgow-led Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine programme – an internationally leading programme supported by UKRI Strength in Places Funding.
Living Laboratory Programme Director Dr Ruth McLaughlin proudly led the First Minister on a tour of ICE’s ultra-high‑field 7T MRI scanner. During the tour, she highlighted the Living Laboratory’s Coil Development project, a collaborative effort with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Siemens Healthineers, and MR CoilTech to design and test new radiofrequency coils that extend the clinical capabilities of 7T MRI.
The momentum continued the following day with the Living Laboratory’s seminar on medical imaging innovation, also held at the ICE building. The event brought together clinical, academic, industry, and policy leaders to explore the rapidly evolving role of imaging in healthcare – from enabling earlier, more accurate diagnoses to shaping the future of personalised treatment.
Dr Kristin Flegal, ICE Research Development Manager, commented: "I was pleased to see a strong turnout for the imaging seminar and the high level of engagement from attendees. The panel sessions brought together leading experts in both the development and clinical application of some of the most advanced imaging technologies available, sparking lively and insightful discussions.
"These conversations not only explored how innovation in imaging is driving new discoveries that lead to better patient outcomes, but also highlighted the critical need to reduce health disparities by ensuring equitable access to imaging for all patients.
"It was exciting to see such meaningful conversations and new collaborations emerge among members of Glasgow’s imaging research community and attendees from the NHS, industry, and other academic institutions."
First published: 30 June 2025