Scotland’s digital health ambitions came under fresh fire this week as Westminster’s Scottish secretary branded First Minister John Swinney “an analogue leader in a digital world”. At the heart of the row? The glaring gap between England’s fully operational NHS app and Scotland’s delayed rollout.
NHS Tech Divide: Six Years Behind
Standing in the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Ian Murray didn’t mince his words. He told Holyrood magazine that Scotland’s “analogue” leadership had left patients and GPs frustrated while their neighbours to the south book appointments, manage prescriptions, and check records with a few taps.
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England’s NHS app has been live since 2019 — it became a household tool during the Covid pandemic, letting millions download vaccination certificates and manage routine care. In Scotland? A similar system won’t fully roll out until December this year.
GPs Growing Frustrated
Doctors’ concerns aren’t new. Many GPs have watched the difference with growing unease, pointing out that the digital gap piles pressure on surgeries already stretched to the limit.
Murray agreed, saying: “I think the concerns that the GPs have said are very much clear concerns.”
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He praised the NHS app as “really powerful” for putting health data back into the hands of patients — something Scottish patients have missed out on for years.
Swinney’s Digital Pledge Faces Scrutiny
First Minister Swinney has promised that a wave of new tech projects will help modernise public services and close funding gaps. He’s also joined Prime Minister Keir Starmer in declaring that AI could “revolutionise healthcare”.
But Murray isn’t convinced it’s that simple.
He warned: “AI will be a big driving force… but I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a panacea.”
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The Scottish secretary argued that digital tools like the NHS app show what’s possible when technology is embraced sooner, not later. For him, Swinney’s delay speaks volumes about Holyrood’s “old-school” approach.
What’s in the NHS App Anyway?
Many Scots still don’t know what they’re missing. South of the border, the NHS app is now a staple for millions. It offers:
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Booking and managing GP appointments
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Ordering repeat prescriptions
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Viewing medical records and test results
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Accessing vaccination and health status certificates
It’s become so embedded that NHS England recently added an “Amazon-style” prescription tracking feature, making it easier to check the status of your meds.
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Meanwhile, NHS Scotland patients still rely heavily on phone calls and paperwork — something GPs say eats up valuable time.
Will Scotland Catch Up?
The Scottish government insists it’s serious about catching up. The new NHS Scotland app is due to launch this December, with hopes it will offer many of the same features as its English counterpart.
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Yet for many, the delay means the damage is done. A generation of patients and doctors have worked with clunky systems and patchy access to digital tools.
A Broader Push for Digital Public Services
Beyond healthcare, Swinney’s broader pledge is to make Scotland’s public services more tech-friendly — a promise made even as councils and the NHS face budget shortfalls.
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But for now, the Scottish secretary’s stinging “analogue” jibe will sting. It captures a frustration many Scots feel when they see a digital divide — and wonder why they’re the ones left waiting.
