Background
The eCare programme has it's origins in earlier Modernising Government Funded (MGF) Programmes where public sector agencies involved in both community care and children's services were encouraged to form partnerships around the theme of electronic information sharing.
In early 2006 a Ministerial initiative to deliver a Scotland wide electronic information sharing framework commenced with the formation of 14 Data Sharing Partnerships (DSP's) based upon NHS Board areas.
These local partnerships comprise NHS Boards, Local Authority Education, Housing & Social Work Services and Police Constabularies who are primarily engaged in providing care and protection services to Scottish citizens on a cradle to grave basis.
In December 2007 the eCare Framework went live for the first time in 2 DSP's, providing Health and Social Care Practitioners with messages based upon Child Protection.