NHS Scotland’s new CEO has said the pandemic has opened the door to citizens being able to access and own their health records.

Caroline Lamb, who is also Director General for Health and Social Care at the Scottish government, said the covid-19 vaccination programme – which others have suggested could include so-called vaccine passports – would leave a “lasting legacy”.

Meanwhile, speaking at the Alliance’s digital gathering, Ms Lamb, who took on the role this year, said she hoped a self-registration process for unpaid carers to sign up for vaccines would be available “within the next few weeks”.

Former CEO Malcolm Wright stepped down from the top NHS Scotland role on health grounds in May 2020 with two Scottish government health directors standing in for the remainder of the year.

Ms Lamb, a former finance director who led NHS National Education for Scotland, had previously been overseeing Test and Protect and the covid vaccination programme.

A milestone was reached today as a third of eligible Scots – more than 1.5 million people – had received first doses.

More than 80% of the 65-69 group has been vaccinated and this cohort is set to be completed by the end of the month, the Scottish government said.

Next on the list are under-65s with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers.

Ms Lamb paid tribute to the “hugely impressive” project, which had brought together different organisations to build the supporting digital infrastructure “from scratch”.

“We didn't have very much in terms of digital technology supporting vaccination programme before. They've always been a bit of the poor relative.

“But actually what we've done in terms of that – the whole scheduling system, the booking system, the portal that's going to be launched soon for people to self-register if they're unpaid carers – all of that has been developed by organisations working in collaboration and it leaves us a lasting legacy.

“…Things like citizens owning their own vaccination record. And being able to use that potentially for other purposes, is hugely important and it starts to build for us that actual health record that people have access to and control over”.

Ms Lamb said coming improvements to the system would allow members of the public to book and reschedule jab appointments online.

She added that a self-registration process would be used to allow unpaid carers who might not be recorded in government systems to sign up for vaccinations.

“I was told not to give any time scales on this but I am hoping that will be available within the next few weeks,” she said.

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