Health and Social Care Data Board: November 2025

Attendees and apologies

Chair

• Carol Sinclair (CS)

Board members

• CA
• Colin Birchenall (CB)
• Jonathan Cameron (JC)
• ED
• Roger Halliday (RG)
• Scott Heald (SH)
• Karen Hedge (KH)
• LH
• CK
• AK
• Eilidh McLaughlin (EM)
• Nicola Steadman (NS)
• Lorraine Taggart
• Heather Thomson (HT)

Programme team

• RA
• SC
• RG
• GW

In Attendance

• CC
• DG
• IH
• VM
• CM
• AM
• DP
• AW

Apologies

• JD
• MG
• TG
• FL
• MM
• JT
• AW
• Angie Wood (AWo)

Items and actions

Welcome, Introductions and Apologies.

Carol Sinclair welcomed everyone to the eighteenth meeting of the Health and Social Care Data Board, noting the assumption that pre-circulated papers had been read and the focus of this meeting is on key points and strategic advice.

Carol welcomed:

CA - Information and Data Manager, Data Insights, Aberdeen City Council replacing Martin Murchie as the Local Authority representative.

DP – Clinical Advisor – Scottish Government and Ann Wales – Programme Lead Healthcare Improvement Scotland who presented – item 4

AM – Head of HSCA – Scottish Government supporting – item 5

IH - AI and Innovation Team Leader – Scottish Government – Item 6

DG deputising for FL

CM deputising for Angie Wood

VM deputising for JT

Apologies were noted from JD, MG, TG, FL, M, JT, AW and Angie Wood.

Minutes, Action Log and Policy update

The Board noted:

• Minutes from the meeting held on 26 August 2025 are published on our website

No outstanding actions

Policy Updates and Sub-Board flash reports were shared with board members prior to the meeting.

Creating Insights from Data

Carol Sinclair invited AK and Scott Heald to provide an update on the Creating Insight from Data Programme.

The overview covered:

• an update on progress made to date and how creating insight from data is supporting work across planned care, near real time data and other insights
• future priorities, risks and challenges. 

The board was asked:

• to note and comment on the refreshed vision, priorities and other outputs shared
• to support the streamlining of data collection and dissemination across the system
• to bring focus to the work that is ongoing in relation to data literacy across the system

The board discussed:

• how the refreshed vision aligns with the Scottish Government’s strategic priorities as laid out in the Service Renewal Framework and the Population Health Framework
• the risks including cultural barriers, siloed working, governance complexity, skills gaps and investment needs

• the importance of data governance to enhance and clarify the message and insight is key to tackling the risk of excessive data without insights that can overwhelm users
• the importance of investment in technology, skills and capabilities
• the importance of design and improvements based on user feedback
• user engagement with key individuals to ensure buy-in and capacity
• examples to illustrate the impact improvements have made such as use by the First Minister and Chief Executives of Health Boards
• the gaps in primary/social care data and importance of addressing these to truly achieve whole system modelling
• the benefit of having demonstrations of the dashboard
• undertaking mapping of all the analytical capabilities across the sector to provide clarity and support better use of data to create insight.

Next steps:

Jonathan Cameron and AK to explore mapping of major data initiatives and set out value being derived from this work.

SC to share Data Board Terms of Reference with AW

A National Approach to Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREMs)

Carol Sinclair invited DP to provide an overview of the plan for PROMS and PREMS.

The overview covered:

• development of the plan
• use and importance of PROMS
• difference between PROMS and PREMS
• challenges including:

• previous initiatives resulting in unsustainable approaches
• a gap in expertise and support in respect to technical governance, data standards, platforms and technologies
• the need for a national approach that utilises a digitally and data integrated standards-based approach, established platforms, and an informed and skilled workforce

The board was asked:

• to note the commitment to adopting a standards-based approach to PROMs and that this requires investment and expertise.
• to note the approach to using established platforms and advise on potential to use components of Seer, NIP (National Integration Platform)
• to advise on the role and mechanism by which Data Standards sub-board and the Data Platforms and Technologies Board can provide expertise
• to consider how PROMs data might bring value to the wider Health and Social Care data ecosystem and work with colleagues to articulate these benefits as necessary

The board discussed:

• the importance of taking a standards-based approach to PROMS and integration with national capabilities such as SEER

Next steps:

RA & EP to arrange a follow up meeting with DP and AW to further discuss the role of standards for PROMS/PREMS and consider whether this should be taken to Data Standards Sub-board for discussion.

Adults Receiving Social Care Data – Update on Plans for Improvement and Rationalisation

Carol Sinclair invited RG, AK and Scott Heald to present the plan for Adults Receiving Social Care Data.

The overview covered:

• Background and plans for the modernising social care data including “Source” the main data set on adults who receive social care in Scotland
• An outline of start/stop/continue activity

The board was asked:

• to provide feedback on the programme including the plans to:

• review the Source data Set
• pause the collections of some data to free up resource for development work
• rationalise data collections to reduce fragmentation, work smarter and better meet the needs of the users of adults receiving social care data

The board discussed:

• the need for prioritisation and importance of collaboration to drive this work forward
• concerns in relation to pausing of care home census data
• the importance of regularly reviewing data collections to minimise new collections from commencing and learning from other nations
• concerns about data duplication and ensuring that this is considered and reduced as part of the review of the source data set
• reassurance regarding the decisions to stop certain collections that they will be replaced by better quality data collections
• the importance of working with stakeholders to communicate the rationale and impact of this work to ensure buy-in, including with IT suppliers

Next steps:

RG, AK and Scott Heald to refine the communication plan and engagement strategy and address duplication issues.

Scott Heald to share the results of the survey in January to capture user needs across the system.

Care Reform Scotland Act

Carol Sinclair invited GW to provide an overview of the digital and data components of the Care Reform (Scotland) Act.

The overview covered:

• background of the Care Reform (Scotland) Act
• overview of the Digital and Data Provisions including:
  • digital health and care record
  • information sharing
  • information standards
• timescales for developing secondary legislation

The board was asked:

• to provide feedback on the planned approach for developing the secondary legislation associated with the digital and data provisions within the act.
• to note the establishment of a steering group for the secondary legislation.

The board discussed

• the role of the steering group which is to provide advice and expertise to the policy team to guide them through the legislative process and provide feedback on policy developments in relation to the digital and data elements of the secondary legislation
• the importance of learning from existing legislation such as the Digital Economy Act to inform the approach taken

• the need for this work to take an iterative approach and the importance of engaging with the supply chain early.
• the development of an implementation plan that considers costs and consideration of exploring the use of pilots to test the approach in advance of laying the regulations
• how and when Data Board will engage with this work

Next Steps:

GW to circulate Terms of Reference for the Digital and Data Steering Group with members and to provide an update on the Care Reform (Scotland) Act engagement plan at February’s meeting.

AI Policy Framework for Health and Social Care

Carol Sinclair invited IH to provide an update on the Framework for AI in Health and Social Care.

The update covered:

• approach to developing the first draft and the plans for further developing the AI Framework
• plans for undertaking stakeholder engagement

The board was asked:

• to provide comments and highlight risks on the draft document
• to provide written feedback and comment after the meeting
• to agree to a follow up meeting with a smaller group to discuss in more detail

The board discussed:

• that national policy is needed however organisations should also develop their own strategy which accounts for the risks and challenges they face at a local level
• the board supported the work and how this has developed however, the board highlighted the need for a clear link between the principles set out in the framework and providers and commissioners to ensure linkage from route to market

Next Steps:

IH to meet Karen Hedge to discuss points raised in relation to procurement.

IH to analyse stakeholder survey responses and prepare final draft of the AI Framework for sign-off (Jan 2026).

Any Other Business

Next Data Board meeting:

Tuesday 24th February 2026, 13:00 – 16:00