Frequently asked questions
Have a question? We may well have the answer right here. We’ve been collating common questions from stakeholders across the programme and hope that the following may prove helpful.
Have a look, and don’t worry, if there is a question you have and we haven’t got the answer here, please just get in touch.
What is the Scan for Safety Programme?
NHSScotland Scan for Safety is a national programme funded by the Scottish Government to implement the scanning of high risk implantable devices using barcode scanning technology alongside the adoption of national standards for the data being captured. It will improve patient safety via data capture at the point of care, helping to accelerate the traceability of class III and IIb medical devices.
Why is the Scottish Government investing in this national programme at this time?
All four UK nations are investing in Scan for Safety roll out across NHS boards and trusts. The patient safety benefits are a key driver, as well as the other transformational benefits Scan for Safety offers to boards.
In addition, by July 2025, updated UK Medical Device Regulations will place a legal responsibility on all NHS Scotland boards to store Unique Device Identification (UDI) data for class III and IIb devices. The NHSScotland Scan for Safety programme will be a key means to support boards in ensuring compliance with the upcoming legislation.
Which boards have rolled out the programme already?
Scan for Safety utilises a range of digital products. It is underpinned by an Inventory Management System which captures product data within a board and department. This system completed its roll out to 15 NHSScotland health boards in April 2023.
The Point of Care scanning system roll out commenced in 2023. This is the system which captures product, place, patient, practitioner, and procedure data within the point of care setting. There are currently two boards who have implemented this within selected clinical departments – NHS Lothian and NHS Golden Jubilee. Discussions are ongoing with all health boards in Scotland to complete rollout in all boards by March 2026.
Will historical data be included on the MDDH?
At this point, historical data will not be included on the MDDH.
What specialties will be implementing Point of Care scanning?
The programme is focussed on implementing PoC scanning in four specialties within each health board:
1. Orthopaedics
2. Ophthalmology
3. Cardiology
4. Interventional Radiology
Some boards may look to roll this out into other specialties and the programme will discuss this as part of the pre-implementation activity within each health board.
Ultimately we expect all Boards to continue rollout to all specialities in order to achieve 100% electronic traceability of implanted class IIB & III devices.
What benefits have boards who have rolled out Scan for Safety, experienced so far?
Some of the earliest benefits are focused around efficiencies. Scanning of data and the accuracy of the data captured, is releasing time back for those using the system. In NHS Lothian, the interventional radiology stock room assistant reported an average of 90 minutes a day of time saving, since adopting the new system.
In addition, the Inventory Management System which underpins Scan for Safety, is supporting financial savings for boards and departments utilising its capability to improve monitoring and management of stock levels.
When are boards likely to implement Point of Care Scanning?
The programme is in the process of engaging will all boards across Scotland and has developed an indicative rollout plan which outlines when each board is due to implement.
When will the programme be complete?
The programme is due to be completed by March 2026. To support this, a Target Operating Model is being developed to support boards and departments in the future in implementing the environment to support Scan for Safety after the programme has ended.
However, the aim remains to support the majority of national boards in their implementation of Scan for Safety during the duration of the national programme and engagement across NHSScotland continues to work to that timeline.