Digitisation and automation will be prominent features of the Scottish Government’s Public Service Reform strategy, due to be published next month.
It has indicated their significance in its recently published Programme for Government 2025-26, outlining the action it will take with local government, public bodies, the third sector and trade unions.
These include the “digitisation, automation, sharing and reduction of back office functions and estates, and leveraging procurement opportunities”.
They also include using data and evidence to joint up services, reduce duplication and make it easier for people to access services.
“Delivery of the actions in the strategy will improve outcomes, particularly for people with the greatest need, help to eradicate child poverty and reduce inequalities, and ensure fiscal sustainability, with strong focus on efficiency and a prevention-first approach,” the document states.
Health measures
It also includes a number of measures to increase the use of digital technology in health and social care. These include launching the initial version of the national health and social care app, providing wider access to digitally enabled mental health interventions and therapies, and the development of a national digital intensive weight management programme for people with type 2 diabetes.
In addition, there are plans to pilot digital assessments of practical subjects in education as part of a more balanced approach to assessment than relying on written exams.
