Health and social care - data strategy: 2025 update - progress and priorities

Talent and Culture

We want to attract, develop, support, and retain a workforce that is confident and competent in the use of data. This includes all staff having essential data skills that help us all to better manage the information we all depend upon, and advanced data skills that help us to create more insight from data.

Progress so far:

• Digital and Data Capabilities Framework – In July 2024 the Digital and Data Capability Framework | Turas | Learn was published to support the development of digital capabilities for everyone working within health and social care in Scotland. Individuals and organisations can use the framework to define skills/behaviours and attitudes that are essential for the workforce.
• Training Resources – Work continues to develop learner pathways that highlight learning resources that are suitable for staff tailored to the role/level they are operating within. The ‘Thriving in a Digital Age’ pathway was redesigned and now includes modules on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyber. Additionally, digital mindset webinars were available online until March 2025 for senior managers, session planning is now in development to allow these sessions to be rolled out within the wider organisation. Furthermore, the Capability Advisory Group jointly established by Scottish Government and Local Government Digital Office is working to adapt standard approaches to training across the sector. Funding has also been provided to deliver a new essential data skills course and data skills and data for stewards’ course which is now available to the workforce.
• Pilot of Digital Data and Technologies (DDaT) Framework. A pilot to trial the use of the DDaT framework with Health Boards will run throughout 2025 to explore how the framework can support development of the NHS DDaT workforce. NSS, Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS Education for Scotland (NES) are currently taking part in the pilot with Greater Glasgow and Clyde also expected to participate in the coming months. Findings from the pilot can be used to support the agenda for change and will inform the next steps for recruitment, retention and development of the DDaT workforce within the health sector.

Leading Digital Transformation in Health and Care MSc – Case Study

The Leading Digital Transformation in Health and Social Care is run by the University of Edinburgh to provide digital leaders and aspiring digital leaders with the opportunity to achieve Certificate, Diploma or Masters level accreditation.

Nicola Cooper from Scottish Care participated in the course and shared the following reflections regarding her experience.

Nicola reported that the course strengthened her confidence in digital and data skills, particularly in evaluation and data-driven decision-making, allowing her to lead projects more effectively and guide her team toward using evidence-based, data-driven approaches. This skill set has been crucial in raising Scottish Care’s profile, as she can now evaluate initiatives more rigorously, demonstrate their impact, and advocate for further investment in the sector. The programme has also broadened her perspective on the wider health and social care environment, helping her improve cross-sector communication and collaboration. By connecting with peers in healthcare, Nicola is actively working to break down the silos that often limit integrated care. Her interactions with colleagues in health have given her insights into their unique challenges, which has fostered a mutual respect that supports better partnerships. Overall, the course has given her practical skills in data and evaluation, empowering her to advocate effectively for Scottish Care and to foster a data-informed culture.

Priorities for 2025:

• Digital and Data Capabilities Framework – The Scottish Government and COSLA will continue to promote the Digital and Data Capabilities framework and explore opportunities to develop specialist pathways in an open platform to ensure resources are easily accessible to staff across the health and social care sector.
• Resources – A refresh of Turas will be undertaken to make the platform more accessible for both health and social care staff enabling staff across the sector to access digital and data resources. This is key to empowering the workforce in the transition to making better use of digital systems as part of the reform agenda in health and social care.
• In a workforce context, digital further supports Renewal and Reform, in particular the ambitions of the Service Renewal Framework, in improving the day-to-day work of health and social care professionals, reducing the administrative burden and freeing up capacity to focus more on the needs of the people they support.