Scotland’s National Health Service (NHS) is advancing an ambitious initiative to implement a Digital Front Door (DFD) platform, a key component of its Digital Health and Care Strategy, designed to revolutionize access to health and social care services.
Unlike England’s NHS App, which is tailored to its specific healthcare infrastructure, Scotland’s DFD is a custom-built solution that integrates both health and social care services into a single, user-friendly digital interface.
This platform aims to empower citizens to take control of their care, streamline administrative processes, and enhance service efficiency. The initial launch is scheduled for December 2025 in Lanarkshire, with a progressive national rollout planned throughout 2026, marking a significant step toward a digital-first healthcare system.
Unified Service Access
The DFD will serve as a comprehensive access point, available through a website and mobile app, enabling users to manage their health and care needs seamlessly. Patients will be able to access and update personal health records, including hospital appointments, test results, and screening invitations, while receiving digital notifications, such as appointment reminders, to reduce reliance on costly traditional methods like postal services. For instance, NHS Tayside alone spent £7.64 million on postage between 2019 and 2022.
The platform will also facilitate direct interactions, such as booking appointments, ordering prescriptions, and accessing virtual consultations. By leveraging Scotland’s Community Health Index (CHI), the DFD will ensure seamless data integration across health and social care services, supporting innovative programs like digital dermatology, mental health referrals (which reached 74,000 in 2023–24), and long-term condition management. Additionally, the platform will extend to social care, potentially enabling referrals for community care assessments or automating benefits processes.
Development of the DFD, which began in 2022, is led by NHS Education for Scotland (NES), with a £27.8 million contract awarded to BJSS in May 2025 to support delivery. The project involves close collaboration with health boards, local authorities, and stakeholders like COSLA to ensure alignment with Scotland’s unique care landscape.
The platform is being co-designed with input from citizens, including those with lived experience, and organizations such as Disability Equality Scotland and Age Scotland. An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) is guiding efforts to address digital access barriers, particularly for rural and marginalized communities, ensuring inclusivity. The project’s budget reflects significant investment, with £0.75 million allocated in 2021/22, £2 million in 2022/23, £1.5 million in 2023/24, and £12 million for the 2025/26 initial launch, underscoring its priority within Scotland’s healthcare agenda.
Public Service Reform
The DFD aligns with broader strategic goals outlined in Scotland’s NHS Operational Improvement Plan and Public Service Reform Strategy, which aim to reduce waiting times, shift care to community settings, and achieve £2.5 billion in savings by 2030. It complements initiatives like the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway, which fast-tracks technologies such as digital dermatology, and the Hospital at Home program, set to expand to 2,000 beds by 2026.
However, the project has faced criticism, particularly from the Scottish Conservatives, who argue that the DFD lags behind England’s NHS App, launched in 2019, and highlight cost escalations from an initial £12 million estimate. Concerns also arise about the complexity of integrating social care data, which some fear could delay progress, though officials emphasize its necessity for a holistic approach. To address digital inclusion, the government is committed to providing non-digital alternatives and supporting digital literacy initiatives.
Looking ahead, the DFD holds transformative potential, with aspirations to integrate with wider public services, such as prison systems or benefits administration, and to leverage emerging technologies like AI and robotics for prevention and efficiency. By prioritizing co-design, interoperability, and inclusivity, Scotland’s DFD aims to deliver a modern, accessible platform that meets the needs of its diverse population, reduces pressure on the NHS, and sets a foundation for a resilient, digital-first health and social care system.
