MyNHS application progress: FOI release

Information requested

1. What is the status of the MyNHS app?

2. When is it likely to be launched and available to the public?

3. How much has been spent developing the app to date in each of the last three years?

4. How many individuals were hired to work on the project, and how many people worked on it in total, in each of the last three years?

5. What engagement has the Scottish Government had with external companies to help develop the app?

Response

1. The 2021/22 Programme for Government introduced a commitment to develop a ‘Digital Front Door’ by the end of the Parliamentary term (2026) as a direct response to the SNP Manifesto commitment for a ‘myNHS App’.

The Scottish Government have commissioned NHS Education Scotland (NES) to lead on the development of the Digital Front Door. Status updates are published regularly, and can be found here: https://www.digihealthcare.scot/our-work/digital-front-door/.

2. We expect a first iteration to be delivered by the end of the current Parliamentary term in 2026.

3. The Scottish Government has provided NES with the following funding for the Digital Front Door Programme: 2021/22 – £0.75m
2022/23 – £2m
2023/24 – £1.5m

NES are progressing this work as part of wider delivery work on the National Digital Platform (The National Digital Platform) and therefore some staff and programming costs have come from the wider spend on the National Digital Platform which benefits a number of different activities, including the Digital Front Door.

4. The Scottish Government has not hired any individuals to work specifically on the Digital Front Door programme, rather Scottish Government input has been from existing staffing resources.

5. The Scottish Government regularly engages with external companies on a range of issues to better understand market capabilities, approaches, and technical abilities, in the same way in which it regularly engages with other countries and jurisdictions to help with learning. However, to date there has been no formal engagement solely designed to help with development of the Digital Front Door by the Scottish Government nor has there been any formal procurement exercises.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.