Strengthening the range of support available to those at risk, and the means to reach them
Since the Digital Lifelines Programme began in April 2021, we have learned continuously from the findings of the organisations we have worked with as well as the wider strategic developments that have occurred. Our work can now be described under 6 broad headings:
To focus on areas of greatest risk of harm, our work will map and identify appropriate areas of intervention and ensure that there is a focus on services working with those at greatest risk in the areas of:
Digital Lifelines Scotland has committed to improving digital inclusion for people who use drugs, including building confidence, skills and motivation alongside access to devices and connectivity.
The programme has reiterated in response to the recommendations of the Drug Deaths Taskforce a goal of reaching a minimum of 2,000 people who are at risk of drug related harm and 200 staff with the digital inclusion element of the programme funding provided.
Digital Lifelines Scotland fund the development of digital products and services aimed at reducing the risk of harm for people who use drugs. Led by the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI), Digital Lifelines Scotland supports the management, delivery and evaluation of digital technology projects:
The University of St Andrews explores the use of the ‘Near Me' video consulting service to increase addiction services engagement and coverage for treatment of People Who Use Opioids (PWUO) in Scotland.
The programme will conduct mapping and exploratory conversations to discover whether there is an appetite in any already developed or developing integrated services to consider what a digitally integrated service might look like.
Delivery partners in both Digital Inclusion and Digital Products and Services will work together on this workstream and shape a proposal and identify funding requirements and sources.
Digital Lifelines Scotland is working with the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI) to develop benefits realisation plans for each strand of the portfolio with Delivery Partners.
Going forward, benefits realisation plans and impact measures will be embedded in each of the strands of the programme based on the evidence assimilated by the programme to date. In addition, an Evaluation Partner will be commissioned for the next phase evaluation, including identification of potential impacts and benefits of the programme, a common impact framework with associated measures, and recommendations for sustainability These should enable both formative and summative evaluation of the programme for March 2025.
The programme team needs to identify the required resources to deliver:
The programme will: