A major digital revamp is coming for Scotland’s health and care services, as BJSS lands a multi-million pound contract to deliver the first phase of a new ‘digital front door’ app. The ambitious plan aims to reshape how Scots access health and social care — from GP records to vaccination schedules — all at their fingertips.
A Big Step for Digital Health Access
Think of it like this: one app, countless connections. NHS Education for Scotland (NES) picked BJSS, now part of CGI, to get the ball rolling with £27.8 million backing the deal.
This isn’t just another health portal — it’s meant to bring personalised info to people wherever they are. From primary and secondary care to mental health support and social care, it’s all in the mix.
NES will launch the first phase in NHS Lanarkshire. The idea? Test the service locally, tweak it with real-world feedback, then scale it up nationwide.
Putting Patients at the Centre
Health Secretary Neil Gray has made clear this is about more than apps and logins — it’s about putting power in people’s hands.
“The digital front door will be a significant development,” he said, “and represents a major investment in reshaping how people interact with data and services.”
This push lines up with the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government promise to boost digital options in healthcare. Officials see digital access as a key to freeing up stretched services and giving patients more control over their care.
One Small Test, One Giant Rollout
BJSS — a company with serious tech credentials — will deliver the nuts and bolts. Here’s what they’ll tackle first:
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Rolling out the initial version in NHS Lanarkshire.
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Testing online access to health and social care records.
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Gathering feedback to refine the user experience.
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Planning for a wider rollout across Scotland.
CGI, BJSS’s parent firm, says the endgame is to give everyone in Scotland secure online access to personalised information covering primary, secondary, and community care, plus mental health services and more.
A First for Lanarkshire, a Win for Scotland?
For now, the big focus is on getting it right locally. NHS Lanarkshire will be the testbed. It’s a chance to find the snags before the system is rolled out to the rest of Scotland’s 5.4 million people.
Is it perfect? Of course not — digital health projects always come with questions. Will everyone have easy digital access? Will local feedback really shape the wider roll out? And can it make a dent in wait times and workforce pressures?
One thing is certain: Scotland’s NHS needs more breathing space, and smart tech could help.
How Will It Work?
The plan covers a lot more than just logging in to see test results. The digital front door is expected to connect people to:
• GP appointments and repeat prescriptions
• Mental health resources
• Screening and vaccination reminders
• Community care contacts
• Social care support
Basically, one place for all your key health and care touchpoints — no more chasing bits of info from different departments.
| What’s Included | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Primary care | Book appointments, manage repeat prescriptions |
| Secondary care | Access hospital test results |
| Mental health | Find local resources and contacts |
| Social care | Get help and advice for family or carers |
| Screening & vaccines | Reminders and updates |
It’s no secret the NHS is under huge strain. Demand is up. Staff numbers are stretched. People want better ways to manage their own care without waiting on hold for hours.
So this isn’t just another piece of flashy tech — it’s a real test of whether smart digital tools can shoulder some of that burden.
If the Lanarkshire pilot sticks the landing, Scotland could soon see the ‘digital front door’ open wide, giving people more power to manage their health, freeing up staff to focus on what they do best, and maybe — just maybe — helping the NHS breathe a bit easier.
