The Integration Joint Board (IJB) for West Lothian, jointly funded by West Lothian Council and NHS Lothian, has agreed to monitor the local uptake of the new MyCare.scot healthcare app to ensure its effectiveness in the community.
App Launch and Features
The MyCare.scot app, launched following a trial in NHS Lanarkshire, provides secure access to key health information such as medications, allergies, vaccination records, and local health and well-being services. It builds on the national MyCare.scot web service and is part of the wider Digital Front Door programme delivered in partnership with Public Services Delivery Scotland and COSLA.
Chair's Call for Community Feedback
John Innes, chair of the IJB, said: "I wonder if we as an IJB should have a view on the app, its roll-out and how effective it is in our community?" He emphasized the importance of feeding back observations from the community to shape the app, stating: "I think we should try to make sure that it is as useful as it can be." Board members agreed to this approach.
Future Development
The first version of the free app allows users to view medications and allergies, check vaccination history, and use the national service finder to locate local health and well-being services. The app will continue to develop through to 2030, enabling users to check appointments, provide personal information, and receive digital letters via MyCare.scot.
Health Secretary's Comments
At the app's launch last month, Health Secretary and local MSP Angela Constance said: "The availability of MyCare.scot on the app store is an important milestone in this government’s programme to give people a single, secure digital access point to their personal health information." She added: "Over time, MyCare.scot will make it easier to manage appointments, reduce the need for patients to retell their story, order prescriptions, and gain access to the information they need to help them stay well and supported. It will also be integrated with Scotland’s social care and social work system."
