Care in the Digital Age: delivery plan 2025 to 2026
Update for 2025 to 2026 to the national digital health and care strategy's delivery plan which describes activities supporting Health Boards, HSCPs, local authorities, primary care, social care, social work, and care providers to offer new or improved services.
Digital Access
People have digital access to information, their own data and services which support their health and wellbeing, wherever they are.What we will deliver:
A full review of NHS inform and commence a redesign of the service to ensure that we improve the experience of people who access NHS inform as a trusted source of accurate, verified health and care information.
Why we are doing this and progress to date:
To expand capability of resources, advice and guidance while promoting greater self-management. This will enable people to take charge of their own health, have an increased knowledge of how and where to access help and support, and reduce pressure on NHS Scotland services by providing tools for appropriate self-care .
The review commenced in April 2024 with extensive stakeholder engagement gauging user experience and feedback. Phase 2 engagement will be completed in Summer 2025 with recommendations made by the end of the year .
Who is leading this work:
- NHS24
- Scottish Government Digital Health and Care
When it will be delivered:
On Track
What we will deliver:
Embed the learning from the Digital Inclusion Programme across health and social care to support approaches to digital inclusion and improve access to digital services.
Why we are doing this:
Identify and mitigate potential exclusion to ensure that as many people as possible can use digital options.
Ensure that digital options are truly designed with the needs of users in mind and not simply offering non-digital options as default.
The Programme concluded at the end of July 2025, delivering 20 projects across Scotland and supporting over 3,500 people. Impact reports have been published, and work is under way to develop a consistent approach in embedding the Programme’s recommendations.
Who is leading this work:
- Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
- Scottish Government
When it will be delivered and progress:
- Programme Completed
- August 2026 to embed
What we will deliver:
Delivery of the first phase of the Digital Front Door prior to a planned national roll-out and iterative development.
Starting with dermatology outpatients in NHS Lanarkshire, the service will develop iteratively, adding services and functionality in response to experience and user feedback with national roll-out commencing in 2026.
Why we are doing this:
Provide people with the ability to view and amend personal information, appointments and find local services across health and social care and interact more easily with services.
NES appointed the Programme’s delivery partner in May 2025. The Minimum Viable Product will be developed for initial launch in December 2025, with national roll-out through 2026-27 subject to full business case and budget.
Who is leading this work:
- NHS Education for Scotland (NES)
- Scottish Government Digital Health and Care
- Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
- LGDO
- Social Work Scotland
- NHS Health Boards
When it will be delivered and progress:
- First iteration December 2025
- Plan for national roll-out published September 2025
What we will deliver:
Following completion of the My Diabetes My Way Platform review, confirm options and procurement of a future online diabetes management tool allowing the public access to their health record and better use of data for public benefit
Why we are doing this:
Consider options in implementing a future sustainable model, particularly in regard to Digital Front Door and the Long Term Conditions Strategy consultation.
Conduct procurement exercise as part of the Diabetes Transformation Programme.
Increase uptake where appropriate and support access for those who could benefit most.
Improve use of data from SCI-diabetes.
The initial review on future options has been completed. This highlighted the need for a deeper review and further engagement with SG Diabetes Policy and the Scottish Diabetes Group prior to any procurement. Funding has been secured and deliverables identified to support improvements in reach and educational content.
Who is leading this work:
- Scottish Government Digital Health and Care
- Scottish Government Diabetes Policy Team
- NHS Tayside NES
When it will be delivered and progress:
- Review completed
- Ongoing
What we will deliver:
Through the Digital Lifelines Programme, deliver digital solutions that support people at risk of drug related harm to reduce digital exclusion and improve health outcomes
Why we are doing this:
Improve digital inclusion and design digital solutions that better meet people’s needs, to improve the health outcomes for people who use drugs, reducing the risk of harm and death.
The Programme successfully supported over 5,000 people at risk of drug-related death to access digital devices, skills and affordable connectivity, and has trained over 500 people as digital inclusion champions. This work continues to be delivered by DHI and the Scottish Government’s Drugs Policy Team.
Who is leading this work:
- Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI)
- Scottish Government Drugs Policy Team
When it will be delivered and progress:
Completed
Contact
Email: DHCPolicyHub@gov.scot