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. It will improve patient safety via data capture at the point of care, helping accelerate the traceability of class III and IIb medical devices.

In addition, it’s data capture capabilities will offer a number of additional benefits for boards including financial, sustainable, performance, productivity benefits.

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 to roll out to further boards in 2024/25.

In spring 2024, the Medical Devices Data Hub (MDDH) will launch. This system is the part of Scan for Safety which will bring together all data captured, linking key clinical patient data, to information around the medical devices used in their care. This will enable rapid national traceability of patients who have received specific devices, as well as provide a timely electronic record for patients about devices used during their procedure.

Any board using Point of Care scanning, will automatically gain access to the MDDH.

Will historical data be included on the MDDH?

At this point, historical data will not be included on the MDDH.

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. 

How are decisions made around which boards go next for roll out?

The onus is very much on boards who feel they are ready to implement Scan for Safety. The national programme is engaging with boards nationally and are ready to support boards who have confirmed they wish to take things forward and are working ongoing to support boards in their business cases, to secure the resources needed for implementation.

When will the programme be complete?

The programme is a five-year programme which is currently set to roll out to business as usual from 2026. To support this, a Target Operating Model is being developed to support boards and departments in the future, in implementing the programme.

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.