What is Digital Inclusion?
Digital inclusion is our collective responsibility to ensure that everyone can benefit from being online. It involves motivation to engage online, access to an appropriate device and connectivity, having the skills and confidence to use digital and, once online, interactions with services that have been designed inclusively so they are accessible and easy to navigate.
In the context of digital health and care, this involves the collective responsibility of organisations to ensure that, where people choose to engage in digital services, they have the support they need to access these as part of person-centred care.
Digital Inclusion Programme
The Scottish Government’s Digital Inclusion Programme was formally launched in March 2023. It is being delivered in partnership with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations ( Digital inclusion – SCVO) and in collaboration with Connecting Scotland ( Connecting Scotland).
The Programme responds to a need to support access to and awareness of digital health and care services and initially focuses on two specific areas:
- people using housing services and support
- people accessing mental health services and support.
Housing
The housing sector, across private and rented sectors, and those organisations working with homeowners, enable the Programme to engage with people in need of preventative health and care support. The social housing sector in Scotland reaches over 600,000 households. It is uniquely placed to help reduce and prevent the number of people requiring formal services by providing interventions further upstream, including digital solutions.
Mental health
Mental health is a key national priority. During the Covid pandemic, there was a significant acceleration of digital mental health services, including self-referrals. Given the scale of mental health needs and the importance of access to appropriate services, the continuing focus on digital inclusion will enable people to access support and services they may not be able to do at present.
The Digital Inclusion Programme aims:
- To support at least 1500 people to be digitally included, develop two or more essential digital skills and improve their wellbeing.
- To extend its impact to a further 3000 people through engagement and the positive effects on family, friends and those who care about the people being directly supported.
If you wish to discuss the Programme, please get in touch with us at: nss.digitalinclusion@nhs.scot