A major leap in how people across Scotland connect with healthcare services is officially underway — and it begins in Lanarkshire. NHS Scotland has teamed up with IT giant CGI to roll out a new digital platform that could eventually redefine access to the country’s entire health and care system.
The so-called “Digital Front Door” — a project years in the making — will first launch in select NHS Lanarkshire outpatient specialties, with dermatology among the first areas to go live. If it works as planned, the rest of Scotland won’t be far behind.
One platform, many doors
This isn’t just another app. At least, that’s what its backers insist.
The Digital Front Door (DFD) is pitched as a user-first gateway to the full span of healthcare services: from GP appointments and outpatient clinics to mental health support, vaccination history and community care. It’s meant to work on phones, tablets, laptops — whatever people already use.
CGI, who secured the £27.8 million contract via its acquisition of BJSS, will work closely with NHS Education for Scotland (NES), the digital education arm of the NHS, to guide the system into public hands.
It’s not flashy. But the goal is serious — less chaos, more control.
Local first, national next
Lanarkshire gets the first look.
The pilot phase, running in NHS Lanarkshire, focuses initially on dermatology outpatient services. Patients will be able to track their care and treatment online, get appointment updates, and access other support tools, all in one place.
Sounds basic? Maybe — but it’s a big deal in practice.
The hope is that by giving people quicker and easier control over their appointments and records, the whole NHS system becomes a bit less tangled.
And then? CGI and NES will study what worked — and what didn’t. That feedback will shape the broader Scotland-wide rollout, due to be mapped out in detail later this year.
Why this matters now
The Digital Front Door isn’t just a tech project buried in the IT department. It’s embedded in Scotland’s national policy vision — and has been for a while.
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It’s a stated priority in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government
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First Minister John Swinney committed to launching the platform by end of 2025
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It ties directly into the wider Operational Improvement Plan and NHS Renewal agenda
Basically, it’s got political backing and big expectations riding on it.
Neil Gray, Scotland’s cabinet secretary for health and social care, didn’t hold back. “The Digital Front Door represents a major investment in reshaping how people interact with data and services,” he said.
That reshaping can’t come soon enough for many NHS staff dealing with ongoing strain. Health boards remain under pressure from staffing shortages, long waits, and fragmented patient communication.
CGI’s growing digital footprint in Scotland
CGI might be global, but it’s not new to Scottish soil.
With offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, and a growing client list in government and utilities, CGI’s presence has been steadily expanding. And after absorbing BJSS — the delivery partner initially picked for the DFD contract — it’s now squarely in charge of this high-stakes platform.
Lindsay McGranaghan, the company’s senior VP and Scotland lead, described the launch as “a bold example of digital innovation supporting better access, empowering people, and easing pressure on services.”
It’s a strong statement — and one that raises expectations.
One-liner moment here: this better work.
From pandemic tech to permanent services
Digital experiments exploded during the pandemic. Remote appointments, NHS Near Me, vaccination check-ins — they were patchy, but they happened.
Now, the DFD platform is trying to turn those scattered trials into something more permanent and seamless.
Let’s not forget: people are tired of juggling portals, apps, phone numbers and letters. Many just want one place where things make sense.
Here’s how the DFD promises to consolidate it:
| Service Area | Digital Front Door Role |
|---|---|
| Primary Care | Online booking, records, reminders |
| Secondary Care | Outpatient appointments, updates, specialist referrals |
| Mental Health | Local access to community support and self-help tools |
| Vaccinations | View history, receive alerts for upcoming jabs |
| Social Care | Signposting to services, basic eligibility guidance |
| Screening Programmes | Participation status, rebooking options |
The challenge, of course, is tying all this together across different NHS boards, regions and systems. Scotland’s digital health infrastructure hasn’t always played nicely.
Patients will need time, and trust
Even the slickest app is useless if no one uses it.
That’s something NHS Education for Scotland knows well. They’re leading the charge on engagement, building trust, and designing a system that works for everyone — not just the tech-savvy.
A senior source within NES told us off-record that accessibility and clarity are central to the platform’s architecture. “If people can’t figure it out in 30 seconds, it’s failed,” they said bluntly.
One thing’s clear: it won’t be perfect from the start. And it shouldn’t have to be.
But the stakes are real. If it’s clunky or confusing, uptake will stall — and the whole national rollout plan could wobble before it gets moving.
A timeline worth watching
While some details are still under wraps, here’s what we know:
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Initial rollout: Lanarkshire, now underway (starting with dermatology)
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Review phase: Patient and clinician feedback gathered late 2025
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National rollout plan: Expected by end of 2025
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Platform launch goal: Scotland-wide availability targeted for early-to-mid 2026
Of course, that’s all assuming no political, budget, or technical delays. A familiar trio.
The promise is huge. A simpler, clearer, fairer digital entry point into Scotland’s health services — and maybe a few fewer letters lost in the post.
But promises and platforms are one thing. Real change? That’s a longer game.
