NHS Education for Scotland has awarded a contract worth £27.8 million to technology consultancy BJSS to assist in the development of the Digital Front Door app aimed at enhancing health and social care services.
Contract Details
- The contract was officially awarded on May 8, 2025, following a competitive bidding process involving seven tenders.
- BJSS will collaborate with NHS Education for Scotland to achieve key deliverables by December 2025.
- The contract duration is set for three years.
Project Collaboration
The contract stipulates that BJSS will:
- Integrate as part of the technology service within NHS Education for Scotland.
- Participate in standard project management activities, including:
- Daily stand-up meetings
- Planning meetings
- Programme boards
- Engage in activities such as:
- Highlight reporting
- Developing architectural documentation
- Creating service blueprints
- Organizing stakeholder engagement and design meetings
Purpose of the Digital Front Door
The Digital Front Door is designed to:
- Provide users in Scotland with improved access to health and social care services.
- Enable individuals to manage and contribute to their health information online.
- Offer digital notifications and facilitate interactions with health services.
Government Commitment
The Scottish government has been working on this initiative since 2022, with plans to launch the platform by the end of 2025. A spokesperson emphasized that the Digital Front Door will not simply replicate the NHS App used in England, as it will also encompass social care services.
In a statement, a representative from NHS Education for Scotland noted, “This contract will enhance how people in Scotland interact with health and social care services.”
Funding and Future Plans
The total contract value of £27,852,000 reflects the maximum projected expenditure, assuming all extensions are utilized. The initial launch is budgeted at £12 million for the financial year 2025/2026, with the remaining funds allocated for subsequent years.
As the project progresses, NHS Education for Scotland will continue to work closely with BJSS to finalize the business case and establish official timelines for the app’s rollout.