Directions, Section 255 Requests and Data Provision Notices

The health secretary and other parts of the health service can ask us to collect information on specific topics so that they can improve patient care.

Secretary of State Directions

Section 254 of the Health and Social Care Act enables the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to direct NHS England on matters concerning the provision of health services or adult social care in England.

Data provision notices (DPNs)

We issue a Data Provision Notice (DPN) each time we use our statutory power under sections 259(1)(a) and 259(1)(b) of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. A list of our current DPNs is available.

NHS Scotland non-mandatory requests

Section 255(1) of the Health and Social Care Act enables organisations to make a request to NHS England to establish and operate a system for the collection and analysis of information, where the information is required to support the provision of health or adult social care.

NHS Wales non-mandatory requests

Isle of Man non mandatory requests

Northern Ireland non-mandatory requests

Mandatory requests from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

Section 255 of the Health and Social Care Act enables the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to make a request to NHS England on matters concerning the provision of health services or adult social care.

Mandatory Requests from NHS Improvement

Shows active mandatory requests from the former NHS Improvement. All active mandatory requests published on this page are now considered to be Directions from the Secretary of State.

Last edited: 9 February 2026 10:50 am