Public Health Scotland

What Public Health Scotland does

Public Health Scotland (PHS) is Scotland's national public health body, established in 2019 with joint accountability to the Scottish Government and COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities). It was formed following the 2015 public health review, consolidating predecessor functions, and operates from headquarters in Edinburgh (Gyle Square, 1 South Gyle Crescent) with a workforce of 1,001–5,000. PHS's mandate is to improve and protect the health and wellbeing of Scotland's population and to narrow health inequalities across the life course.

PHS delivers surveillance, data analytics, and health-intelligence services through a portfolio of products including the Scottish Burden of Disease data visualisation tool (covering 100+ diseases, injuries and risk factors), the SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing service (operated in association with the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium since November 2020), the Databelt drug-related death processing system, the Place Standard Tool (co-developed with Scottish Government, Architecture & Design Scotland and Glasgow City Council), the Climate Lens resource, the Scottish National Audit Programme (SNAP) running 8 national clinical audits and registers across all 9 NHS Scotland Health Boards, and the Introduction to Public Health Learning Hub. It also publishes population health resources including Ready Steady Baby (available in multiple languages and accessible formats) and the COVID-19 in Pregnancy in Scotland (COPS) study.

Public Health Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government as a public body, not a commercial enterprise. Services are free at point of use as part of Scotland's public health system and there is no commercial pricing model. Distribution is channelled through NHS Scotland Health Boards, local authorities and community planning partnerships, health and social care professionals (e.g., midwives distributing Ready Steady Baby), and the public via direct website access (including a Freedom of Information/Environmental Information Regulation request function). Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Public Health Scotland

Legal name

Public Health Scotland

Website

https://publichealthscotland.scot

Company type

Public

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Public Health Scotland is Scotland's national public health body, established in 2019 and accountable to the Scottish Government and COSLA. It delivers surveillance, burden-of-disease analytics, clinical audits, genomic sequencing and public health intelligence to NHS Scotland boards, local authorities, and the Scottish public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health Services

NAICS

Administration of Public Health Programs (92312)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial/Regional Health Departments (HLAJAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health Statistics & Reporting (National/State/Local Indicators) (HLAJAJAC), Health Data, Vital Statistics & Population Health Informatics (BPAIAJAM), Health Systems Performance & Quality Measurement (Public Sector) (HLAJANAK)

Keywords

• Public health surveillance
• Health intelligence analytics
• Clinical audit services
• Population health monitoring
• Disease prevention programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Public Health Scotland is Scotland's national public health body, providing health surveillance, population health data and intelligence, clinical audits across multiple specialties, public health resources and information, and programmes to improve health and reduce inequalities. Its portfolio includes interactive health intelligence dashboards, the Scottish Burden of Disease data visualisation tool, the SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing service, the Databelt drug-related deaths processing system, the Place Standard Tool, the Ready Steady Baby parent information resource, and the Scottish National Audit Programme (SNAP) of clinical audits and registers.

Product overview

Public Health Scotland is Scotland's national public health body, operating as a government health organization rather than a commercial software company. Its product portfolio consists primarily of health intelligence dashboards, surveillance reports, data tools, and public health resources. Key offerings include the Scottish Burden of Disease data visualisation tool with over 70 diseases tracked, the Databelt system for drug-related death reporting, the SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Service for variant monitoring, and the Place Standard Tool for community health assessment. The organization provides multiple publications and reports including COVID-19 statistical reports, sexually transmitted infections dashboards, and alcohol consumption dashboards. Additional products include the Introduction to Public Health Learning Hub for workforce education, Ready Steady Baby resources for parents in multiple formats, and the Scottish National Audit Programme (SNAP) for clinical audits across multiple health conditions. The 'Together We Can' 10-year strategy (2026-2035) provides the strategic framework for these activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Scottish Burden of Disease (SBOD) Data Visualisation Tool Interactive data visualisation tool that monitors changes to population health across the entire life course, providing breakdowns by region, health board, local authority, sex and age-group with over 70 diseases and injuries tracked. Used by health intelligence analysts, NHS Boards and local authorities.
• Databelt Data-processing system for identifying, sharing and using suspected drug-related deaths (sDRDs) data to support national and local responses. Used by PHS, NHS Boards, local authorities and drug-related death coordinators.
• SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Service Whole genome sequencing service for monitoring and tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants including Delta and other variants of concern. Established in association with the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium. Used by public health authorities in Scotland for pandemic response.
• Scottish National Audit Programme (SNAP) Programme managing 8 nationally recognised specialty-based clinical audits and registers including Scottish Cardiac Audit Programme, Scottish Stroke Care Audit, Scottish Hip Fracture Audit, and others. Provides daily data feeds to inform COVID-19 pandemic response and supports healthcare quality improvement across NHS Scotland.
• Place Standard Tool (PST) Assessment tool created in partnership with Scottish Government, Architecture & Design Scotland and Glasgow City Council for considering physical and social elements of places. Helps public health stakeholders have targeted conversations to inform and initiate positive action.
• Climate Lens Resource Resource developed to combine with the Place Standard Tool to help public health planners and communities consider climate change impacts on health and wellbeing at local level.
• Introduction to Public Health Learning Hub Digital learning hub providing bite-size content on public health concepts with reflective activities, featuring contributions from partners across sectors. Supports workforce development for public health practitioners.
• Ready Steady Baby Parent information resource covering pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenthood. Available in printed book, microsite on NHS Inform, and multiple languages including Arabic, Polish, Simplified Chinese and easy read formats. Used by midwives, health visitors and expectant parents across Scotland.
• Health Intelligence Dashboards Interactive dashboards providing public health data and surveillance information for Scotland, including sexually transmitted infections and alcohol consumption and harms dashboards.
• COVID-19 Weekly Statistical Report Regular publication of COVID-19 statistical data including results from the COVID-19 in Pregnancy in Scotland (COPS) study, tracking 144,548 pregnancies and 5,653 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in pregnancy.
• Young People's Panel Co-production programme with young people aged 14-17, recruited through Young Scot, to improve mental wellbeing in Scotland and inform mental health programme design.

Quantifiable outcome

• People in most deprived areas lost over 2.5 times the number of years lost to ill-health and early death compared to least deprived areas
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Young ScotmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Partnership to co-produce mental wellbeing programme with young people. Recruited 23 young people aged 14-17 to the Public Health Scotland Young People's Panel.
• COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020Association with COG-UK Consortium to launch SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Service to inform pandemic response in Scotland through whole genome sequencing.
• University College London Institute of Health Equity (IHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership formed between PHS, UCL Institute of Health Equity, and three Scottish local authority areas to strengthen and accelerate action to improve health and reduce health inequalities in Scotland.
• Glasgow Caledonian UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Glasgow Caledonian University's Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus research group, leading to 2021 International Real Impact Award for HIV and hepatitis C prevention research among people who inject drugs.
• Scottish Health Protection Network (SHPN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork facilitating close engagement of stakeholders and rapid dissemination of findings to national and local groups responsible for prevention and control of blood borne viruses, accelerating translation of research into practice.
• Scottish GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint accountability to Scottish Government as national public health body. Collaboration on public health policy, vaccination programmes, and health improvement strategies.
• COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint accountability recognizing the significant role local government plays in improving and protecting health. Partnership on localized public health working.
• Architecture & Design ScotlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in development of the Place Standard Tool for considering physical and social elements of places.
• Glasgow City CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in development of the Place Standard Tool for considering physical and social elements of places.
• People First (Scotland)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization of adults with learning disabilities that provided guidance on developing easy read health information resources including Ready Steady Baby.
• NHS InformmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host Ready Steady Baby microsite providing pregnancy and early parenthood information.
• NHS Boards (Scotland-wide)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative working with all NHS Health Boards in Scotland on blood borne virus prevention, treatment monitoring, and healthcare quality improvement through clinical audits.
• Third Sector OrganizationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with third sector organizations for blood borne virus prevention and broader public health initiatives, including harm reduction services.
• NatureScotmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Our Natural Health Service programme, including Green Health Partnerships in Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, Dundee and Highland.
• Transport ScotlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Our Natural Health Service programme addressing transport and health connections.
• Barnardo's ScotlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on children's mental health and relationships work, including the 'It's all about relationships' film.
• Education ScotlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on children's mental health and relationships work in education settings.
• Children's ParliamentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Year of Childhood initiative and children's mental health research and recommendations.
• Public Health and Sustainable Transport GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup established to understand transport changes during pandemic and inform policy responses on health and sustainable transport.
• International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting 10th International Conference in Glasgow in October 2022 for sharing knowledge on improving health of people who use drugs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): NICE provides evidence-based guidance and quality standards for health and social care in the UK. An adjacent UK public body whose standards-setting, clinical audit support, and evidence-based policy role overlaps thematically with PHS's SNAP clinical audit and health intelligence functions, though with different operational scope.
• Health Foundation: The Health Foundation is an independent UK charity that conducts health systems research, publishes health analytics, and funds improvement programmes. An adjacent enabling organisation whose population health research and data analytics output overlaps thematically with PHS's health intelligence work, though it operates as a non-governmental entity.

Regional players

• NHS National Services Scotland (NSS): NSS is a national NHS Scotland board providing shared services including health information, screening, and blood transfusion services. Comparable as a Scotland-based public body delivering population-scale health data infrastructure and screening programmes that overlap with PHS's surveillance and audit functions.
• Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID): OHID is a UK government unit within the Department of Health and Social Care focused on health improvement and tackling health disparities across England. Comparable to PHS's population health and health inequalities remit, though operating at a wider UK government rather than devolved nation level.

Direct peers

• Public Health Wales: Public Health Wales is the national public health agency for Wales, with an almost identical mandate to Public Health Scotland — population health improvement, health protection, screening, and health intelligence for the Welsh population. Closest functional peer given the shared devolved-nation public health body structure.
• Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland): The Public Health Agency is Northern Ireland's regional public health body, delivering health protection, health improvement, and service development functions. Comparable to PHS as a devolved UK national agency with similar scope, accountability to a devolved administration, and population health focus.

Broad incumbents

• Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): PHAC is Canada's federal public health agency responsible for disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency preparedness. A broad incumbent peer operating at a larger national scale with overlapping roles in surveillance, health intelligence, and population health analytics.
• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA): UKHSA is the UK's national health protection and security agency, succeeding Public Health England. It is a direct national-level peer to Public Health Scotland, providing analogous health protection, surveillance, and pandemic response functions at the country level (England & UK-wide) with overlapping scope in genomics and infectious disease.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC is the United States' national public health agency, providing disease surveillance, laboratory science, health statistics, and outbreak response at a much larger scale. Comparable as the global benchmark for the category of national public health agency that PHS operates within.
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): ECDC is the EU agency focused on infectious disease surveillance, scientific advice, and response coordination across European member states. Comparable to PHS in its health protection and surveillance mandate, though operating at supranational scope rather than national.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/P_H_S_Official
• YouTubeyoutube.com/nhshealthscotland/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/PublicHealthScotland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/public-health-scotland
• Instagraminstagram.com/publichealthscotland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Public Health Scotland