Scotland gets National Digital Platform to improve data access

A new National Digital Platform for Scotland has been launched with the aim of transforming digital healthcare services for the local population, supporting developers and improving access to data for healthcare professionals.

The platform will help to ensure that there is interaction between digital services allowing them to talk to each other, store and share information as appropriate. By doing so, accessing such services will be made easier for the people of Scotland.

Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in the Scottish Government, said: “Within our health and social care system, services are steadily becoming available on digital platforms for those who wish to use them.

“It is important that these digital platforms work seamlessly together to ensure that people are able to access the right care, at the right place, at the right time.

“I welcome the launch of the National Digital Platform’s website which will offer useful information on using digital platforms and how the NDP can bring together multiple services in one place.”

For those living in Scotland, the platform will deliver better access and control over their health and social care data, supporting informed decision-making. For staff working within NHS Scotland, it will improve access to data, helping them to make better care decisions.

In addition, potential developers will have a standard approach to digital infrastructure that is used and will be able to access components and services to speed up their developments, with multi-cloud software that can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively.

The standard platform has been created so that other services and apps can be built upon it. Already, several services are using the platform, including the Covid Vaccination Management tool, Open Eyes (ophthalmic electronic patient record), the Stroke Assessments tool, and ReSPECT emergency care patient summaries.

It has been designed and delivered by NHS Education for Scotland, alongside partners within the health and social care sector.

Karen Reid, NHS Education for Scotland chief executive, said: “Already there are a handful of services using the platform, but this is just the start.

“As an open platform just like you’d get on your phone, we’re making it possible for developers everywhere to come up with innovative apps to help us all.

“Ultimately, the platform will make it simpler to deliver technology that improves the care and wellbeing of people in Scotland.”

Recently NHS Scotland has been focused on digital transformation, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with university and industry partners to accelerate digital innovations.