MyCare.scot – digital front door to health and social care: equality impact assessment summary

Executive summary

The Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) has been prepared under the leadership of the Scottish Government Digital Health and Care Division, supporting the delivery of MyCare.scot, Scotland’s first national digital service giving people a single, secure entry point to access trusted health and social care information and services.

The assessment is based on the most recent evidence, engagement, research and strategic direction guiding the rollout of MyCare.scot. It reflects and influences the programme’s focus on person-centred design and inclusive access and reflects the legal obligations set out under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty.

MyCare.scot is a commitment of the Programme for Government 2024-25, delivered jointly by the Scottish Government and COSLA. MyCare.scot further aligns with the Digital Health and Care Strategy (2021). MyCare.scot is now available nationally and enables people across Scotland to access health and social care through a single, secure sign-in. In time, it will allow users to manage appointments and communicate securely with services.

This assessment demonstrates that MyCare.scot is designed to complement existing non-digital routes, ensuring accessible, person-centred and equitable access for everyone. Discovery and delivery work, led by Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland), a new national body that has merged NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and NHS National Services Scotland (NSS), has included user research, accessibility testing and equality assurance. This assessment will remain a live process throughout delivery.

The assessment identifies both positive and negative potential impacts across protected characteristics – the nine groups protected under the Equality Act 2010. It recognises real opportunities: improved access, reduced travel, enhanced convenience, and more secure and consistent digital services as well as noting potential digital exclusion, affordability, accessibility needs, communications barriers and identity verification challenges, alongside the importance of maintaining non-digital routes.

Mitigations are identified throughout the action plan and have included inclusive design, assisted digital support, alternative access routes, accessible communications formats, user testing and ongoing review. Governance is supported through the programme’s Assurance Framework.

The assessment demonstrates that with the appropriate mitigation and ongoing review, MyCare.scot will support fairer, more consistent, and more accessible digital health and social care for Scotland’s population.