The shielded patient list (SPL) algorithm is developed by NHS Digital at the direction of the Chief Medical Officer for England.

We openly publish the algorithm on our website.

New versions of the algorithm will be issued if directed by the Chief Medical Officer for England, and published on the site.

Questions about the technical implementation of the algorithm, or the specific SNOMED codes used, should be sent to SPLQuery@nhs.net. Please do not send any personal details or medical queries to this email address.

The shielded patient list is generated from NHS Digital data repositories, and additional sources, as directed by NHS England and the Chief Medical Officer for England.

Current data sources include:

• additional cancer patients, advised by Public Health England
• patients identified by GP practices and acute hospitals

An updated NHS shielded patient list will be generated by NHS Digital weekly.

Questions about the NHS SPL Publication process should be directed to SPLQuery@nhs.net.  Please do not send any personal details or medical queries to this email address.

The shielded patient list will be disseminated by NHS Digital to recipients with whom we have a data dissemination agreement in place, which will detail the terms of release and agreements on the intended use of the data, commitments to secure handling and management of the list, and the scope of onward disseminations.