Exploring the Future of Digital Skills in Health and Care – Collaboration, Innovation, and Preparing the Next Generation
The #DigiFest24 Skills Webinar, a satellite event of Scotland’s annual Digital Health and Care Fest, brought together experts to address the critical digital skills agenda in health and social care. Organised by the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI) in collaboration with partners, the session underscored the urgent need to build a digitally competent workforce to address ongoing challenges and future opportunities.
The event began with an overview of the digital transformation in health and care, led by Fiona Bates from the Scottish Funding Council, who provided a strategic perspective. She highlighted the critical role of innovation centres like DHI in addressing Scotland’s skills needs, emphasising the importance of partnerships with academia and industry to foster knowledge exchange and long-term skills development.
Dr Sanna Rimpiläinen from DHI explored the radical shifts in workforce requirements due to digital transformation, citing the effects of Brexit, COVID-19, and global trends. She underscored the need for personalised care, data autonomy for citizens, and an emphasis on prevention and well-being, all of which demand a digitally skilled and agile workforce. Sanna pointed out gaps in the talent pipeline and the importance of embedding digital competencies across all educational and professional levels.
Pauline Rae from NHS Grampian delved into the digital skills required for health and care delivery, showcasing how technology is transforming services such as telemedicine, data sharing, and robotics. She emphasised the importance of fostering digital confidence and literacy among staff, paired with strong leadership to support technological change.
The social care perspective was presented by Jess Elsey from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), who detailed the unique challenges in recruiting and upskilling the workforce. She highlighted initiatives like the SSSC Learning Zone and 23 Things Digital, which are helping social care workers adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Jess stressed the importance of digital leadership and the potential of technology to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Further insights were shared by Dylan White representing the NHS Youth Academy, who introduced Foundation Apprenticeships as a vital tool for bringing young people into health and social care. He outlined how these programmes combine classroom learning with hands-on placements, allowing students to experience the sector first-hand and develop critical digital and interpersonal skills.
Olivia Dunbar highlighted the #DigiInventorsChallenge, a programme that engages young people in developing innovative solutions to health and care challenges. She shared how the initiative inspires creativity, builds entrepreneurial skills, and promotes awareness of digital careers, creating a vital talent pipeline for the sector.
David Grier and Kirstine Hale from Skills Development Scotland showcased the My World of Work platform, which supports career exploration by providing tools, resources, and information to help individuals understand career pathways, including those in digital health and care. Their presentation highlighted the importance of equipping individuals with the knowledge to make informed career choices.
John Eden from NES introduced the Careers Opportunities Tool for social care, which maps out diverse career paths within the sector. He emphasised the tool’s role in supporting recruitment and retention by helping individuals identify roles aligned with their skills and aspirations.
From Fife College, Hazel Brannigan demonstrated how colleges are embedding digital learning into their courses. She showcased the use of virtual reality tools and technology-enabled care training, highlighting their role in preparing students for the digitally transformed workplaces of health and care.
Professor Ellie Hothersall from Dundee Medical School reflected on how the medical curriculum is evolving to equip future doctors with the digital skills and adaptability required in an AI-driven world. She emphasised the shift from teaching traditional knowledge to fostering lifelong learning, professional values, and critical thinking to navigate a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.
Closing the webinar, Greg Moran, a thought leader in digital health and formerly of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) provided an Australian perspective, reflecting on similar challenges and opportunities in integrating digital health skills. He praised Scotland's collaborative approach but cautioned about the need for clarity in career pathways and greater visibility of roles in digital health to attract future talent.
The event concluded with a recognition that while significant progress has been made in Scotland, addressing the digital skills agenda requires sustained collaboration, strategic planning, and consistent effort across sectors. The discussions highlighted a shared commitment to equipping Scotland’s workforce with the skills to thrive in a digitally transformed health and care environment.
Summary:
The #DigiFest24 Skills Webinar, a satellite event of Scotland’s Digital Health and Care Fest, explored the critical need to address digital skills gaps in health and social care. Experts from DHI, NHS, SSSC, education, and industry highlighted the importance of fostering digital literacy, leadership, and critical thinking across all levels—from school to professional practice.
Discussions centred on leveraging technology to transform services, attract future talent, and retain a resilient workforce amid global challenges. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, the session underscored Scotland’s commitment to building a digitally skilled workforce for the future of health and care.
