Patients in Scotland will have secure online access to their own health information by 2020 according to Alex Neil, the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing.
He has also announced a further £10 million to support telehealth and telecare projects in Scotland, to allow patients to better manage their health, care and wellbeing at home.
This investment will enable more patients to use technology such as tablet computers, smartphones and other digital devices to monitor conditions such as diabetes, heart problems and lung problems in their own homes.
The longer term plan for digital records will offer patients and health staff immediate access to information on current health issues, and allow patients to provide up-to-date details such as an emergency contact.
Mr Neil said: “I am determined that as technology continues to evolve, digital health tools will play a bigger part of our NHS and support our vision for 21st century healthcare.
“This future goal, for patients to be able to access their health records online, is one of the best and newest ways patients can keep track of their own care, including test results and prescriptions.
“This is part of our goal to support even more people to live independently in their own home – which is not only better for people’s health but will also help meet the expectations of our population.” The online records will be kept securely by NHS Scotland and access to them will be tightly controlled.
