About the SNOMED CT Implementation Programme

The SNOMED CT Implementation Programme is leading NHSScotland’s healthcare terminology transformation.

The programme aims to implement Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) as the standard clinical terminology used throughout the NHS Scotland digital estate. The Scottish Government has commissioned NHS National Services Scotland to deliver the programme as part of the Digital Health and Care Strategy 2021 and the Health and Social Care: Data Strategy.

National Services Scotland (NSS) is delivering this programme in partnership with Scottish Government and NHSScotland. This programme provides a wide range of benefits across several key areas for patients, clinicians, populations, and evidence-based healthcare. Some examples of the benefits identified in each of these areas are:

• Recording clinical information consistently across healthcare systems.
• Seamless data exchange and interoperability between different healthcare systems.
• Identify emerging health issues by monitoring population health trends.
• Providing consistent coding, therefore reducing costly duplication and errors.
• Enabling links between clinical records and enhanced clinical guidelines and protocols.
• Enhancing the quality of care experienced by individuals.

The programme is governed by a Programme Board which is responsible for:

• Monitoring progress of the programme, ensuring activities and deliverables remain on track.
• Ensuring the programme delivers within the agreed parameters of cost, rate of adoption and expected/actual benefits.
• Reviewing and approving completed programme deliverables.

Further information on the programme can be obtained by contacting the programme team at their Website Contact Us – SNOMED (nhs.scot) or email NSS.snomed@nhs.scot.