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Keeping you up-to-date with news and analysis across the public technology and innovation sector.

The Scottish Government has confirmed it will go its own way with an online patient records system following announcement of a new NHS App for England. Patient groups and political rivals have challenged the decision, however, raising concerns that having two separate apps 'could create unnecessary complications'.

Read that piece in full and the rest of our tech stories from the week. Don't forget to get in touch with your stories at [email protected] or send a tweet or DM to @futurescot_news, and please share with your colleagues.

HEALTH

Scottish Government goes its own way on patient-facing app for NHS

The Scottish Government has confirmed it will not take part in the new NHS App – which will create a single patient record for people living in England.

Ministers are progressing with the plan to create a ‘Digital Front Door‘ for residents in Scotland – which will include NHS as well as social care data. MORE ?

Orkney mental health teams go paper-free

NHS Orkney has commenced the rollout of a community electronic patient record system as it speeds up the digitisation of local health services.

Clinicians, allied health professionals and care workers will no longer have to go into the office to pick up case files with the adoption of the ‘Morse’ solution. MORE ?

JUSTICE

Cops camera rollout 'shamefully slow'

Police officers now have fewer body-worn video cameras than they did two years ago according to a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Scottish Conservatives. MORE ?

CONNECTIVITY

Rural connections 'life-changing' but 4G gaps remain

Rural communities and businesses across Scotland are embracing digital technology to boost local and regional economies. Having good mobile connectivity offers businesses new opportunities. However, not everywhere has the connectivity needed to unlock the economic growth sought by UK and Scottish Governments.??MORE ?

?SKILLS

Recruitment firm to bridge tech skills gap at Digital Glasgow

Provn, one of Scotland’s newest and most exciting recruitment businesses is thrilled to announce its participation at Futurescot’s Digital Glasgow 2024 conference. With a mission to bridge the skills gap in the technology sector, Provn specialise in delivering tailored talent solutions that empower technology teams to thrive. [Partner Content].?MORE ?

CYBER

Scots legal firm joins fight against hackers

A Scottish legal firm that was hit by a cyberattack earlier this year is to join the fight against hackers. Scullion LAW, which has offices in Hamilton, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Madrid, fell victim to a ransomware gang in February – but has now pledged to support fellow victims.

MORE ?

?SPACE

Technical upgrades to boost space sector at observatory

Technical upgrades to the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh will help space startups experiment with the latest cutting-edge equipment. Following nine months of renovations and over ￡400,000 investment via the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the Higgs’ space testing facility is reopening for business. MORE ?

DIVERSITY

Five-day festival to celebrate ‘vibrancy’ of ethnic minority communities in Scotland

A five-day festival and summit will celebrate the ‘vibrancy’ of ethnic minority communities in Scotland next week. The annual Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit and Festival 2024 takes place from 29 October to 2 November – with a series of talks, workshops, networking opportunities, and cultural festivities designed to unlock Scotland’s potential through diversity and innovation.?MORE ?

BRIEFINGS?

Young Enterprise Scotland seeks emergency funding to avoid closure

A national charity that has provided financial education to students across Scotland for more than three decades is seeking immediate emergency funding support to avoid closure after losing its grant from the Scottish Government.?MORE ?

ScotAccount: Simplifying secure access to online public services

Responding to Scotland’s Digital Strategy commitment to introduce a trusted, accessible digital identity service designed around user needs, ScotAccount is the new secure and simple way for people in Scotland to access public services online. People can use ScotAccount to sign into online services; and if required by the service, verify their identity to prove who they are and that they are eligibility for the public service or benefit.?MORE ?

Boosting digital inclusion and sustainability

The City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed that it has launched a new digital strategy to progress the Scottish capital’s ambitions for the city to become more sustainable and inclusive. Aiming to accelerate digital transformation in Edinburgh, the Digital and Smart City Strategy 2024-2027 has now been approved by members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee.?MORE ?

PUBLIC SECTOR IT CONTRACTS

Scottish Government awards Covid Inquiry digital contract

The Scottish Government, on behalf of the Covid Inquiry, has awarded a contract to London-based Epiq Systems for the provision of cloud software eDiscovery RelativityOne Services.?MORE ?

NHS Highland awards digital telecare hub rollout contract

NHS Highland has awarded a ￡664,000 contract to Doncaster-based Tunstall Healthcare, to provide mobile connectivity telecare solutions for the region.?MORE ?

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