DigiFest 2024
DigiFest is Scotland’s annual Digital Health and Care knowledge exchange event, organised by the Scottish Government’s Digital Health and Care Division and our Steering Group partners and continues to be an anchor event for the Scottish digital health and care ecosystem.
DigiFest24 combines a programme of free-to-attend, virtual and in-person satellite sessions, from October 2024 onwards and a virtual conference featuring panel discussions sharing good practice alongside an ePoster showcase on 4 – 5 December 2024.
This event takes a multi stakeholder perspective setting out the direction of travel for digital health, housing and care in Scotland and shares work from Scotland, the wider UK and internationally.
Programme for 4 – 5 December
Wednesday 4 December Sessions from 09:30 -13:30 – Registration is now closed. Please contact Nessa.Barry@nhs.scot if you wish to join one of the sessions.
09:30-10:30 – Digital and Data at the heart of reform – Panel Discussion
The expansion of digitally enabled services presents opportunities for more sustainable changes in service delivery. The Digital Health and Care Strategy, and the Data Strategy for Health and Social Care both recognise that to empower and enable people and the services that people use, digital must be at the heart of transformation and reform.
Join us for this panel session as we move from the national, policy and strategy perspective – to examples of innovation and digital services at local level. The session perspective will focus on
• putting digital at the heart of transformation and reform.
• developing and learning from local examples of services transformation and how this informs moving to nationally delivered services.
Moderator:
Alistair Hodgson, Head of Policy and Strategy, Digital Health and Care, Population Health Directorate, Scottish Government
Katriona Brooksbank, R&I Innovation Lead, West of Scotland Innovation Hub, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Denise Brown, Director of eHealth, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Jann Gardner, Chief Executive, NHS Lanarkshire
11:00-12:00 – Enabling technologies: Digital Front Door (DFD) and the National Digital Platform (NDP) serving future forms of care – Panel Discussion
In this session the NES Technology Service, the technical delivery partners for NDP and DFD, will provide an update on both of these programmes of work, which involve multi-agency partnerships. The session will cover:
- How the work programmes map to Digital Health & Care Strategy 2021 and/or the Data Strategy
- The multiple NDP services currently available, and how they are maturing for DFD.
- An introduction to some new services which will be developing over the next 18 months.
- Key plans and timelines for the Digital Front Door.
Moderator:
David McColl,
NHS Education for Scotland Technology Service
Deputy Director
Tracey Baxter, Associate Director, NHS Education for Scotland Technology Service
Greg Thomson, NHS Education for Scotland Technology Service Digital Front Door Programme Director
Barry McAlister, NHS Lanarkshire Head of Digital Transformation
Ruth Griffith, Digital Health and Care, COSLA, Policy Manager
12:30-13:30 DigiFest24 Poster Snapshot Session
Join us for a fantastic opportunity to hear from a selection of this year’s successful ePoster submissions. The posters present activity which is either research or a service development initiative. Five short presentations will be followed by a discussion with the authors. In addition, the ePoster platform will also be live and it will be possible to view all the successful ePosters for DigiFest 2024.
There will be a British Computer Society (BCS) Health & Care Scotland sponsored prizes for the best Service Development poster abstract and for the best Research poster abstract plus a runner up in each category
Moderator: Dr Katie MacLure, Chair of BCS Health & Care Scotland
Close
Thursday 5 December – Sessions from 13:0-17:00 Register
13:00-14:00 DigiFest24 Poster Snapshot Session
Join us for the second poster snapshot session to hear from a selection of this year’s successful ePoster submissions. The posters present activity which is either research or a service development initiative. Five short presentations will be followed by a discussion with the authors. In addition, the ePoster platform will also be live and it will be possible to view all the successful ePosters for DigiFest2024.
There will be a British Computer Society (BCS) Health & Care Scotland sponsored prizes for the best Service Development poster abstract and for the best Research poster abstract plus a runner up in each category.
14:30-15:30 Enabling Good Practice – Examples and Discussion
With contributions from NHS 24, Scottish Care and Highland Hospice, this session will share learning from new initiatives which are aimed at developing capabilities in primary care, independent care settings. Good Practice Examples:
- Developing an innovative multidisciplinary Remote and Rural Advanced Practice (RAP) post-graduate educational master’s programme.
- Living Well
- Future Oriented Role in Social Care – Care Technologist – launching the new Care Technologist Principles – shaping a digitally inclusive, person-led future for social care.
Lizanne Hamilton-Smith, Senior Nurse for Advanced Practice, NHS 24 & Senior Lecturer for Advanced Practice, University Highlands and Islands
Kirsty Bateson, Knowledge Exchange Manager, Highland Hospice
Nicola Cooper, Technology and Digital Innovation Lead, Scottish Care
16:00-17:00 Opportunities for the Community Health Index (CHI) in Local Government
Join this session which will feature speakers from the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, COSLA, and Public Health Scotland giving an insight into the potential benefits of using the Community Health Index (CHI Number) in Local Government and social care.
It will outline the possible opportunities that using CHI for verification and information sharing will have for health and social care, to
- deliver better outcomes to people accessing services,
- reduce duplication in the system,
- reduce the need for people to repeat information multiple times,
- increase capacity in a very stretched system,
and ultimately ensure people delivering health and social care services have access to the right information at the right time to provide the right care.
Ruth Griffith, Policy Manager, Digital Health and Care, COSLA, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
Dave Watson, Enterprise Architect, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
Richard Dobbie, Principal Analyst, Public Health Scotland
Close
Scroll down to see the Satellite sessions
The DigiFest Steering Group membership reflects the collaborative, multi-perspective nature of this event. Members are drawn from:
- The Scottish Government’s Digital Health and Care Division and Digital Directorate
- The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre
- The Health and Social Care Alliance
- BCS Health & Care (Scotland)
- Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
- The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
- Scottish Development International
The themes and related topics for DigiFest reflect current priorities relating to digital health, housing and care.
Themes explored in this year’s programme of Satellite Sessions include:
- Citizen Participation & Co-production
- Digitally Enabled Workforce
- Digital Leadership
- Digital Maturity
- Innovation – the CivTech approach
- Robotics in Health and Social Care
- Digital Inclusion & Smart Communities
- Digital Telecare and Data Driven Services
- Digitally Enabled Social Care and Good Practice in A.I. in Health and Social Care
The sessions on 4 & 5 December will include the following themes and topics.
- Digital Solutions at the Heart of Reform
- Sustainable Innovation – local and national delivery
- Digital Tools Supporting Integration
- Data Driven Services
- Good Practice Examples
The Scottish Centre for Project ECHO is providing additional conference support to us this year. 
Satellite sessions
Data Driven Services within Telecare (Pre-recorded video)
The Digital Telecare Programme have also prepared a new recording on the topic of Data Driven Services. The recording is now available. Please select this link to go to the (Youtube) site, the team delve into the vital role of data in enhancing services for citizens, showcasing how data collection and analysis drive smarter decision-making and improved service delivery. The benefits of the Telecare Information Framework will be discussed and participants will learn about data benchmarking, and see real examples of Power BI dashboards in action.
Data Standards Governance for Health and Social Care
When: Wednesday 4 December 2024 – 13:00-14:00
Where: Online Register
Sharing health and care data in a secure, transparent and responsible way is crucial to building a modern health and care sector for Scotland. Data Standards are fundamental to improving data quality and driving up interoperability of Scotland’s health and care data. Representatives from Scottish Government, Local Government and NHS Education Scotland will host a discussion about how we are working in a collaborative way to help achieve the long-term ambition for governing and setting the preferred standards for health and social care in Scotland.
In the session, we will talk about our approach to developing appropriate governance and our plans for undertaking a pilot to set out the preferred data standards for use for health and social care in Scotland. Local Government will set out their plans for data standards within the public sector.
We will also talk about the Scotland FHIR Community of Practice – an informal group of over eighty members from across health and social care organisations in Scotland. It has been set up to share knowledge and collaborate around the use of the HL7 FHIR standard in Scotland as there currently isn’t a formally agreed approach to how it is implemented.
Joe Deary, Service Manager – Data and Technology Assurance Team – Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership
Eleanor Platt, Senior Data Analyst – Scottish Government
Gemma Wilson, Senior Policy Officer – Scottish Government
Paul Miller, Clinical Lead – NHS Education Scotland Technology Service
Research Data Scotland and the Scottish Government Data Strategy
When: Thursday 5 December 2024 – 10:00-11:00
Where: Online. Register
Want to find out how Research Data Scotland (RDS) is making it faster and simpler to do research that can improve lives? Join us to learn more about the work RDS is doing in collaboration with the Scottish Government Data Strategy for Health and Social Care.
We will explore some of the key areas RDS has been working on over the last few months including:
- The Researcher Access Service: launched in April this year, the Researcher Access Service is a digital service that makes it quicker and simpler for approved researchers to access public sector data for research. At the event, you’ll learn more about how the service works and our plans for the future.
- Renewed Safe Haven Charter: RDS supports the Scottish Safe Haven Network, with the aim of improving systems for accessing data for research in line with the Scottish Government’s Data Strategy for Health and Social Care. Hear how the Safe Haven Charter, first published in 2015, is being refreshed to bring it up to date and the intended impact.
- Public engagement: at RDS the public voice is central to our work. In August, we announced the return of our Public Engagement Fund, giving people the opportunity to be part of the data research process and to raise the profile of data for research in Scotland. Find out more about our public engagement activities, our public panel and the fund at the event.
Learn more about RDS’s work to date in our Highlights and Impact review (2021 – 2024).
RDS is an independent charity, established in 2021 by the Scottish Government. We are working to connect researchers to public sector data, making it faster and simpler to generate evidence to help others improve society. We work in partnership with other organisations in Scotland and the UK to build on, and transform, key aspects of the data research system. Find out more on our website. To stay updated with Research Data Scotland, subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.
NHS Inform Website: Review webinar
When: Thursday 5 December – 11:15-12:45
Where: Online. Register
Join us at the NHS inform DigiFest Session on Thursday, 5th December 2024, for an insightful session focusing on NHS Inform, the national health information service for Scotland. This session will delve into the journey of NHS Inform to date with a look to the future. Gain insights into the findings of our recent strategic review and engage in a collaborative discussion on how to address challenges and co-create solutions for the future.
The digital landscape has seen significant transformation over the past decade, with advancements in technology reshaping how health information is accessed and utilised. It is imperative for NHS Inform to evolve and adapt to the changing needs for the future.
Session Highlights
o Rapid overview: Insight into the evolution of NHS Inform and its impact to date.
o Looking ahead: an update on our recent strategic review and future potential.
o Interactive Discussions: Participate in an interactive discussions and Q&A session on the future of NHS Inform, and how you can contribute.
Why Attend?
o Stay Informed: Gain valuable knowledge about the strategic direction of NHS inform
o Stay Engaged: Learn how NHS inform supports the wider healthcare system and how it can support your needs.
o Influence Change: Learn how you can help shape the future of NHS Inform, ensuring it continues to meet the evolving needs of Scotland’s population.
We look forward to your participation and valuable insights.
Smart Communities Facilitating Digital Access and Inclusion
When: Tuesday 10 December 2024 – 15:00-16:30
Where: Online. Register
The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre are hosting this webinar to present a number of exemplar approaches from Scotland and further afield on developments in smart communities. This is in support of work underway as part of the DHI Rural Centre of Excellence. The session will be Moderated by Margaret Whoriskey, Head of Innovation Care and Well Being at DHI. A multi-perspectives session, speakers will also be present from NHS Education from Scotland, Scottish Library and Information Council, Agile Ageing Alliance, Blantyre Digital Hub, and Aberdeen Digital Hub.
Go to the event website for registration and further details of the session.
Digital Leadership Webinar Series
When: Tuesday 10 December 2024 – 12:30-13:30
Where: Online Register
Developing skills and confidence with the Digital and Data Capability Framework
The Digital Health and Care Strategy for Scotland recognises that the workforce must “feel confident in their use of digital technology, in order to improve the delivery of care” knowing when, why and how to use digital to maximise health and social care outcomes and improve service delivery.
The Digital and Data Capability Framework has been created to support this aim by identifying the skills, knowledge and behaviours essential for the workforce. But have you thought about how you can use the framework to support your own development as a digital leader, or the skills of your team? Join us in this webinar to explore how you as a digital leader can apply the framework in practice.
Skills Event: Attracting a Future Talent Pipeline to the Health and Care Sector
When: Wednesday 11 December 2024 – 14:00-16:15
Where: Online Register
The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre are hosting this session which will focus on attracting a future talent pipeline to the health and social care sectors. The session features a diverse range of organisations sharing their perspectives on this important topic. Representatives from key stakeholder organisations will include the Scottish Funding Council, NHS Grampian, Skills Development Scotland, NHS Youth Academy, the Scottish Social Services Council, Fife HSCP, Dundee Medical School and the DHI.
Go to the event website for registration and further details about the session.
• Heard about the 5 W-H approach to understanding organisational digital maturity
• Learnt about Scotland’s baseline and our speed and direction towards digital maturity
• Gained understanding as to the meaning, applications, significance and benefits of Digital Maturity and Digital Maturity Assessments.
• Identified how they can support digital transformation across Scottish health and social care.
Facilitators
Marion Logan – Policy Team Leader, Digital Capabilities and Leadership, Scottish Government
Henrik Moeller – Director, Meisterworks
ePoster exhibition
ePoster Showcase for DigiFest 2024
You can view the ePosters from DigiFest 2023 at ePoster Showcase.
There will be a British Computer Society (BCS) Health & Care Scotland sponsored prizes for the best Service Delivery poster abstract and for the best Research poster abstract plus a runner up in each category.
Please contact Nessa Barry at Nessa.Barry@nhs.scot with any questions.
Completed satellite sessions
ADAM (About Digital and Me)
When: Monday 2 December 2024 – 13:00-14:00
Where: Online
Hosted by Alzheimer Scotland, ADAM (About Digital and Me) is Alzheimer Scotland’s free online platform that helps people living with dementia and their carers to find the right technology to live well at home. ADAM has been co-designed by people with lived experience of dementia and we have relaunched the platform in September 2024 with new features, easier navigation and a refreshed catalogue. All digital devices listed within the ADAM catalogue have been tried and tested by people living with dementia and their carers.
Join our virtual session where we will discuss why ADAM was created, provide a live walkthrough of the ADAM platform, how to use this in practice and highlight the most popular devices listed within the catalogue.
Innovating Telecare: The Shared ARC Platform
When: Thursday 28 November 2024 – 11:30 – 12:30
Where: Online.
Digital Office for Scottish Local Government is hosting this satellite session – a showcase of the recent implementation of the Shared ARC Platform, a cloud-based solution designed to seamlessly integrate a wide range of telecare services.
Digital Leadership Programme Alumni Event 2024
Welcoming programme alumni, current participants, those involved in the programme delivery and anyone with an interest in digital leadership who is curious to find out more!
When: Thursday 28 November 2024 – 13:00-14:30
Where: Online
Visit the Digitally Enabled Workforce site on Turas Learn and follow the programme on X at @nes_dew to find out more. Any queries should be directed to nes.dew@nhs.scot
CivTech: Innovation for Impact in the NHS
When: Wednesday 27 November 2024 – 11:00-12:00
Where: Online
CivTech, the Scottish Government’s flagship technology accelerator, is dedicated to improving public services by collaborating with innovative private sector teams. In this session, the team showcased how CivTech has innovated within the health sector, from streamlining employment checks through to menopause care.
HealthTech Elevate – Scotland
Barclays Health Elevate brings together industry experts, innovators, health and life science providers, academics and professionals from across the industry to showcase transformation through collaboration, innovation and technology.
When: Tuesday 26 November 2024 – 17:30-20:00
Where: the Usher Building at the BioQuarter in Edinburgh
Workforce, Digital and Practice: the case for lifelong learning in professional development
When: 18 November 2024 – 17:00-18:00
Where: Online.
BCS Health & Care Scotland AGM followed at 17:15-18:00 by a talk from the invited speaker, Sharon Levy, CPD Lead for the Data Driven Innovation (DDI) programme at the Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh.
The ALLIANCE Digital Citizen Panel event Sharing, Influencing and Living in a Digital Scotland
When: Tuesday 29 October
Where: Radisson Blu, 301 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8DL
This event is being delivered by the Digital Health and Social Care Team at the ALLIANCE, in collaboration with the Digital Citizen Panel. This event focussed on how collectively we can: produce accessible digital services, tackle the barriers to digital inclusion and support the workforce to become digitally enabled. The organisers will deliver an virtual AI Workshop session in partnership with the Scottish AI Alliance.
TEC Housing Conference 2024 – Back to the Future – Saving Time with Tech
When: Tuesday 29 October
Where: Radisson Blu, 301 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8DL
The Technology in Housing Programme invites you to attend the 2nd year of its in person conference. After the success of last year’s inaugural event TECH is back! Join us as we explore how social housing can go back to basics by looking to the future!
Harnessing Digital Health: Analysing Economic Impact in Health and Care Systems
When: Thursday 31 October
Where: Edinburgh, and online
This THCS shared learning event, organised by Scottish Government as Work Package 10 leader, explored the different funding models for digital health and how we measure the impact of digital health at a system level. The event will be facilitated by experts from WHO, OECD and European Health Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Please see attached the latest version of the agenda.