Scottish gov to assess AI digital maturity for health and social care

The Scottish government has launched a tender to provide an updated version of its online digital maturity assessment tool, including new questions specifically on the use of AI.

The tool, which was first launched in 2019, enables health and social care organisations to evaluate how effectively they use digital technologies to deliver, manage and improve services.

As part of its 2025 development, new elements are being added to the digital maturity assessment, including a linked assessment on innovation and questions specifically on the digital maturity of AI.

A Scottish government spokesperson told Digital Health News, said: “As part of our existing digital maturity assessment process, for 2025 we will be adding a linked assessment on innovation and new questions specifically on AI – covering resourcing, governance, leadership and strategic alignment.

“Results from this will support our understanding of organisational readiness and measure progress.”

A contract notice, published on 25 July 2025, states that “the Scottish government has a requirement to place a contract with an external provider to design, deliver and maintain a national online digital maturity assessment tool and a linked learning and development website”.

The successful service provider will be required to “develop a robust, user-friendly digital maturity assessment platform tailored to the Scottish health and social care context”.

It adds that the winning bidder must “enable benchmarking at local regional and national levels and provide actionable insights to inform digital transformation planning and investment”.

Other requirements set out in the contract notice are to “design and host a complimentary learning and development website offering curated resources, bespoke analysis, discussion groups and improvement guides aligned with assessment outcomes” and to “ensure accessibility, data security and ongoing technical support”.

“This work will play a critical role in supporting continuous improvement, workforce development and strategic alignment across Scotland’s health and social care landscape,” the notice adds.

There is no value stated for the contract; however, it is estimated to last for three years and may be extended for a period of up to two years. Subject to that constraint, the period of the contract may be extended on more than one occasion.

Interested suppliers must submit by 26 August 2025 and include in their submission two examples of undertaking similar services within the last three years.

Commenting on the updated digital maturity assessment, Fiona Schaefer, innovation commercialisation manager at InnoScot Health, said: “With the right service provider, this is a welcome move to enable Scottish health and social care to actively measure and improve their digital processes, ultimately enhancing services.

“The ability to continually monitor and evaluate maturity is vital to the country’s ongoing transformational ambitions, and if successfully bolstered by a well-considered learning and development website, should constitute a comprehensive approach to assessing strengths and addressing weaknesses at any given time.

“Such an offering represents a robust approach to navigating digital improvement and mapping the way forward in an ever-evolving health and social care space where accessibility, inclusion, and equitability for all is paramount.”