Health and social care: data strategy - executive summary easy read

Making experiences better

The Data Strategy wants to make experiences better for everyone who uses or could use data to make health and wellbeing better in Scotland.

Here are a few examples

I use, or may need to use, health and social care services and support and this means I will:

• have clear access to my own health and care information and be able to manage it
• have access to public health and care information
• not have to repeat my story to each new person involved in my care
• be able to choose to share my data with family, friends and people who support me, so they can quickly understand my health and wellbeing needs and this will make my support better
• be confident that my data is up-to-date, and it is used in a safe and secure way
• understand how my data is used by researchers to make Scottish health and social care services better

I am an unpaid carer and this means if I have permission I will:

• get individual care information so I can give people the best support
• be able to keep track of appointments with health and social care professionals, who was involved, and what the next steps will be
• be able to get easy to use and up-to- date information about services in my area that give respite care and support for me

Respite is short breaks for carers.

I am a member of health and social care staff, and this means I will:

• have secure and easy access to the right data about people I support, even if they have been or are being supported somewhere else
• spend less time looking for and recording information that has already been recorded

This gives me more time to spend with the people I support.

• be able to easily communicate with staff and unpaid carers giving support services

I understand the full story and can have the right conversations with them.

• have up-to-date and complete data to:
  • support care services
  • have easier moves between services and support providers
  • plan and manage future services
• have the skills to use the right technology to gather, safely use, plan, and share data
• have confidence about when and how I should get information
• have confidence that I can make the right decisions at the right time based on better access to the right information

I am a researcher and this means I will:

• know what data is available and how to get it
• have quicker access to data that is complete, up to date and better represents the people of Scotland
• have confidence that I am using this data in a safe and secure way

I can use the data to make care, support, and treatments better for people.

• be able to quickly and easily get the data using one system
• have guidance that is easy to follow and explains what I need to do to get data

You can see more detailed examples of how the improved use of data can have a positive impact at the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre website at: https://www.dhi-scotland.com/