Health and care reform: Stakeholder Advisory Group minutes - October 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Iain Morrison, SGPC
• Matt Barclay, Community Pharmacy Scotland 
• Margot McBride, Allied Health Professions Federation for Scotland
• Charlotte Waite, British Dental Association
• John Robertson, National Director BMA Scotland
• Moira Mackenzie, Scotland’s Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre
• Ben Hannan, NHS Fife
• Tom Steele, SAS
• Julie Mosgrove, Optometry Scotland
• Rachael King, Chair, Representative of Chairs & Vice Chairs Group - IJB
• Karen Hedge, Scottish Care
• Carol Sinclair, Chair of the SG HSC Data Board, Vice chair Scottish Ambulance Service
• Albert King, Chief Data Officer at NHS National Services Scotland 
• Roger Halliday, Chief Executive of Research Data Scotland
• Iain Kennedy, British Medical Association (Scotland)
• Sara Redmond, The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
• John McAnaw, NHS 24
• Susan Webb, NHS Lothian and Chair of SDsPH
• Jo McBain, Director of Allied Health Professionals
• Lesley Thomson, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Gordon Paterson, Director of Social Care & Communities at NHS Education for Scotland
• Fatim Lakha, Public Health Scotland
• Katie MacGregor, Royal College of Occupational Therapists

 

 

 

 

Items and actions

Welcome and update on reform - Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive NHS Scotland/DG Health and Social Care

• the Director General welcomed members to the sixth Stakeholder Advisory Group (StAG) noting apologies from the Cabinet Secretary who was unable to attend today’s meeting
• data plays a key role in the renewal of Scotland’s health and social care services, unlocking the value of this data will empower people, enable effective decision making and support efficiency
• data is fundamental in supporting the use of digital and innovation to improve delivery of services.
• Some key milestones were noted:
• the launch of the MyCare.scot will help fulfil the Scottish Government’s long-standing ambition to give people greater access to and control over their health and social care data
• adoption of systems by local government such as the new Community Health Index originally launched in October 2023
• investment in the Seer 2 Platform which enables government, health boards and other public sector bodies access to high-quality, well described data sets
• supporting easier and quicker and access to high quality data for researchers, safely and securely such as through the Researcher Access Service launched by Research Data Scotland
• there is a need to prioritise improvements in the way data is used to support decision making and to be clear about the impact of interventions
• today’s session provides an opportunity to hear  more about progress and what more needs to be done to fill data gaps 

Data discussion

Carol Sinclair, Chair of the SG HSC Data Board, Vice chair Scottish Ambulance Service

• Carol introduced the programme of work on the Data Strategy and the strategic ambition for data, including how digital will support reform of HSC with links to reform products 
• the reform products: The NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan, the Service Renewal Framework and The Population Health Framework set out commitments which align with commitments in the Data Strategy. These include:
• delivery of a health and social care app
• delivering a digital health and care record
• adoption of CHI in Local Government 
• information governance
• development of information standards and legislation in progress on how we establish requirements for robust data sharing 
• HSC Data Priorities:
• AI Framework, work on going with the Scottish Government’s Digital Directorate
• accelerating access to data through pre-approved data sets
• expanding capabilities of digital platforms to provide HSC with insights to help local decision making 
• it was noted that more work was required to resource and deliver data calls and ensure complete alignment with reform publications  

Albert King, Chief Data Officer at NHS National Services Scotland

• Albert introduced the Seer platform which connects and brings HSC data together for improved serviced delivery
• Seer 2 provides a modern cloud platform for innovation and collaboration, providing data to over to 20,000 users across NHS, Scottish Government, Local Authorities, other public sector organisations, and academia
• the platform provides over 100 data products, supported by a capable team of engineers and analysts 
• the benefits of the platform are that it:
• can respond rapidly to new demands
• provides opportunity through the bringing together of data sets
• provides a data map and analytical service for digital front door
• enables collaboration and innovation
• is modern and scalable with access to technology and 
• produces strong data assets 
• as more organisations use the service, there are more opportunities data opportunities, there is therefore a need to continue to invest in the expansion of the platform

Roger Halliday, Chief Executive of Research Data Scotland

• Roger provided input on the Research Access Service and how it is opening up data for innovation utilisation via a digitised end-to-end pathway
• outlined the role of Research Data Scotland which was established in 2021 by the Scottish Government aims to improve access to public sector data and support best practice for research and innovation in the public good
• example of world leading research in Scotland highlighted – SCAN-DAN dementia research which used a store of medical imaging data, a good example of unique data assets supporting investment in Scotland
• there has been lots of good data but traditionally difficult to line all of these up in a helpful way, the Research Access Service, brings data together to understand the whole person rather than focussing on individual services – this approach underpins and supports Scotland’s Population Health Framework 
• on public engagement it was noted that the public was broadly supportive but it needs to be in the public good . Data needs to be kept safe to maintain transparency and trust
• a single independent approval panel ensures that activity is in the public interest and there is independent accreditation of researchers etc. As well as a data use register the need to move from local to national data was noted as well as a need to work with other areas of the UK 
• in order to accelerate progress the following matters were raised:
• National GP data required for research
• medical imaging data for research
• more focus on data governance and simplification of models 

Comments and questions from members relating to the presentations related to the following:

• noted all the good data work that was happening in Scotland but how do we draw this together into a coherent national plan which can present Scotland to an external audience as a coherent body open for business. It was noted that work is underway on our underlying narrative is. There had been conversations with Scottish Development International about what our collective offer on data is, Research Data Scotland undertook that matter away and continue those conversations
• concern noted from a GP perspective about liability for any breaches of GP data once released outside their systems and how trust is maintained with patients. In response it was noted that nowhere would you be able to guarantee the safety of the data or risk of re-identification but Scotland are world leading in this regard and there have been no data breaches
• as part of a whole system approach, there was need to understand how 3rd sector data is being integrated and support for 3rd sector partners to identify what data would be helpful and how quickly it can be made available 
• engagement with 3rd sector partners on data and digital infrastructure needs has flagged the need for improved data about the prevalence of long term conditions to support audit work
• at Local Government level, it was noted that a lead had been appointed to work with data controllers to ensure a shared understanding of public benefit, confidence that they are mitigating and controlling risk 
• it was noted that more was required in terms of the 3rd sector, discussions on this van be progressed through the HSC data board
• independent Care Sector noted concern about the pace of bringing social care in on the work, noting the prevalence of issues around access to data raised through a collaborative group looking at delayed discharge. It was noted that social care data on care home residents was expected to be available in the next few months 
• in response to building confidence in the data system, it was noted the role that good governance, public engagement and supporting data controllers can play here.
• one comment was made on Teams asking whether DWP benefit information for patients can be part of the health offer, as this links in to eligibility for free NHS dental treatment. Eligibility criteria is complex and can cause confusion for patients, it was said
• comments made on the Teams chat reflected a desire to have follow up conversations, to discuss further the issues raised in the meeting
• attendees also expressed concerns regarding the data sets available in the independent care sector, and whether those that exist are reliable

Closing remarks

The Director General thanked colleagues for their contributions,  noting the number of connections which had been made during the discussion.  The discussion had identified a need to give more consideration to our data “shop front” in Scotland and how people are able to access the valuable data assets. There was a need to resolve some of our data gaps and make real tangible improvements going forward.