In a speech this week at the National Robotarium in Edinburgh, Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, outlined plans around innovation, the Scottish health and social care app, Hospital at Home, and “better use of data”, as well as the potential for new technologies such as AI and robotics to “modernise” health services and “transform” diagnosis and treatment.
On the Scottish health and social care app, Swinney noted the roll-out will start at the end of 2025, beginning initially in Lanarkshire.
Swinney reflected on an article written by the Robotarium’s business development manager, Lisa Farrell, which highlighted use cases including automated porters and robotic pharmacy assistants, and the ways that robotics could help ease workforce pressures. He noted specifically Farrell’s sentiment that achieving the full potential of this kind of innovation requires coordinated action and strategic investment, stating: “I couldn’t agree more”.
The minister’s speech also recognised innovations such as the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service, “a new pathway that delivers significant reductions in the time from referral to diagnosis”; and “cutting-edge” research into the potential for AI to transform diagnosis and treatment.
The speech highlighted the role of “better data” in helping ensure operating theatres are running at maximum capacity, with best practice approaches, defined as those increasing productivity by 20 percent, to be rolled out across the country.
“There is no ‘magic bullet'”, Swinney observed, reinforcing the importance of partnerships across local government, the third sector, patient groups, and the health and care workforce; along with the need for the health and social care system to become “an ever more interconnected whole”.
Referring to delayed discharge and long waiting times as “the canary in the coal mine of our National Health Service”, the minister went on to propose changes including an enhanced regional delivery model; and increased levels of activity in National Treatment Centres to deliver “over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures” over the coming year.
Swinney also made commitments to creating centres of excellence, “places of expertise and specialisation, where we will be better placed to capitalise on the technological innovation and the potential of AI”; to expanding the Hospital at Home initiative to “at least 2,000 beds by the end of 2026”; and to building on the “already successful” model of digital support for mental health to expand to additional areas such as dermatology and long-term condition management.
In closing remarks, Swinney said: “No other public institution supports us with so much care through life’s biggest moments. We must support it in return. The approach I set out today charts our course to do that. It addresses both the challenges and the opportunities. It sets the NHS on a path of modernisation and renewal.”
Digital transformation in Scotland
The Scottish Government’s annual update on progress toward the NHS Recovery Plan was published last month, highlighting the role of digital innovation in empowering patients, supporting preventative care, managing demand, and addressing inequalities; and noting specifically the progress made around developing a digital front door, enabling remote monitoring, and enhancing scheduling. The government also notes a planned update to the data strategy for health and social care is also expected in 2025 and highlights the ongoing work to develop AI policy and guidance for health settings.
NHS National Services Scotland outlined its intention to work with suppliers to deliver its Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme, which seeks to provide “a proven clinical intervention using digital technology” with trained lifestyle coaches enabling participants to track progress against type 2 diabetes. The programme will offer support to participants over a nine month period, with a focus on “enabling patients to take control of their own health and wellbeing”, with lifestyle coaches helping to support and encourage “lasting lifestyle change”.
The Scottish Government also published a response to a report commissioned from an independent expert group on ‘Unlocking the Value of Data’, focusing on maximising the value of “Scotland’s public sector personal datasets in secure, ethical and transparent ways, to realise public benefit”. The report puts forward a total of 19 recommendations under three key aims: engage, enable, and ensure – addressing the aim to make data more accessible for “ethical use by Scotland’s innovators and researchers”.
And NHS Education for Scotland has launched a new digital and data capability self-assessment tool designed to help guide individuals through the Digital and Data Capability Framework. Capability statements covered by the tool include communicating effectively using digital tools; understanding the risks of communicating online and following appropriate guidelines; understanding “the purpose and function of different digital communication methods”; working effectively with others using digital tools; being able to collect, store, and share information and data safely; being able to use and find information and data; embracing digital change; and using digital tools to improve processes and solve problems.
