News
The latest news from NHS Digital.
Emergency readmissions published for first time in five years
New experimental statistics have been released by NHS Digital, showing emergency readmissions for hospitals in England between 2013/14 and 2017/18.
NHS technologists urged to be part of NHS Digital sustainability forum
NHS Digital is calling on providers and stakeholders to join a working group looking at developing a sustainable tech workstream for the NHS, as the NHS marks its annual Sustainability Day on 21 March.
Daniel Ray is named second in data 100 power list
NHS Digital’s Daniel Ray has been named the second most influential data and analytics practitioner in the UK by dataIQ’s top 100 list.
International Women’s Day analysis: The role of women in the NHS in England
Women account for more than three quarters of the NHS workforce in England, according to NHS Digital statistics published today on International Women's Day.
Pharmacies now able to dispense controlled drugs via Electronic Prescription Service
Following successful testing, NHS Digital is rolling out Schedule 2 and 3 Controlled Drugs (CDs) via the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS).
New statistics on England’s social care workforce published
NHS Digital has today published its latest annual report on components of the social care workforce in England.
Proportion of women taking up breast screening invitations falls
The proportion of women aged 50-70 taking up routine breast screening invitations fell to 70.5% in 2017-18, down from 71.1% in 2016-17 and from 73.2% in 2007-08. The acceptable level of uptake is 70 per cent.
NHS login launches pilot to develop the service for future users
Five organisations support NHS login as part of a small-scale pilot from March 2019.
338,000 admitted to hospital as a result of alcohol in 2017/18
There were 338,000 admissions to hospital in 2017/18 where the main cause was due to drinking alcohol, according to new figures published today.
Data Security and Protection Toolkit helps care providers get online with NHSmail
Care providers can now gain access to NHSmail, once they have completed the entry level of the online Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT), NHS Digital has announced.
More than £1m available for innovative digital social care projects
Local authorities developing digital social care projects to be boosted by Social Care Digital Innovation Programme (SCDIP) funding.
Digital inclusion project brings healthcare technology to the homeless
Homeless and insecurely housed people in Hastings now have access to medical treatment and support thanks to an innovative digital health care outreach project.
Annual learning disabilities statistics released
24 January 2019: Annual figures on the health and care of people with learning disabilities have been released by NHS Digital.
Leeds first city to fully join up with GP Connect
NHS Digital has taken a major step on the road to ensuring clinicians have access to patients’ GP records right across Leeds.
GP appointments data published
The second monthly GP appointments publication has been released, covering figures for November 2018.
NHS Digital chief executive welcomes focus on technology in Long Term Plan
NHS Digital's chief executive, Sarah Wilkinson, has welcomed the focused on digital technology in the NHS Long Term Plan published today.
NHS payments to General Practice report published
The NHS Payments to General Practice, England, 2017/18 report has been published today by NHS Digital.
NHS e-Referral Service makes its 100 millionth online booking
The NHS e-Referral Service has hit 100 million bookings since it was launched in 2005 as the NHS Choose and Book Service.
NHS Spine reaches one billion monthly transactions
The NHS Spine, which supports the IT infrastructure for over 500,000 health and social care workers in England, has reached the milestone of one billion transactions in a month for the first time.
Insight into digital uptake in maternity services aims to bring benefits of technology to mums
A new report shows for the first time how digitally ‘savvy’ maternity services in England are – and aims to drive up the better use of technology.
GP appointments data published
NHS Digital has published data to inform users about GP appointments and help show how primary care is affected by seasonal variation.
Health survey reveals association between parent and child obesity
Children of obese parents are more likely to be obese themselves than children whose parents are not overweight or obese, according to NHS Digital figures released today.
New UK Health Data Research Alliance to boost medical research and improve future health and care
An exciting new alliance will bring the UK’s leading academics together with forward thinking health data specialists, to develop new ways to design and support the medical research of the future, to improve the care patients receive from the NHS.
Update: NHSmail restored to all users
We can confirm that all accounts identified as having been locked out as a result of multiple login attempts were unlocked by 10.30pm last night.
Update: Access to NHSmail restored
All users should now have their access to NHSmail restored after problems with availability today, caused by a software issue in the supplier’s internal infrastructure.
Update: Severity 1 national outage on NHSmail
We have been working hard to fix the issues NHSmail has been having today.
Severity 1 national outage on NHSmail
There is currently a severity 1 national outage on NHSmail. We are working with our supplier to resolve the service.
NHS Digital takes major step on road to universal electronic prescriptions
NHS Digital has launched a pilot that could see more than 95% of GP prescriptions processed electronically, saving the NHS time and money.
New cervical screening figures released
NHS Digital has published their latest report on cervical screening coverage for 2017-2018.
One in eight of five to 19 year olds had a mental disorder in 2017 major new survey finds
One in eight (12.8%) of children and young people aged between five and 19, surveyed in England in 2017, had a mental disorder1 according to a major new report which provides England’s best source of data on trends in child mental health.
New standard to improve information sharing between community pharmacies and GP practices
A new standard that will improve sharing clinical information between community pharmacies and GP practices has been published.
More than half of patients who finished psychological therapy recovered in 2017-18
A total of 50.8% of courses of treatment for anxiety and depression ended in a patient’s recovery in 2017-18, new statistics from NHS Digital reveal.
Nine councils awarded funding to use digital innovation to create social care of the future
Biometric devices measuring anxiety triggers for people with autism and exoskeleton devices for carers are among nine social care digitisation projects to receive extra funding from NHS Digital and the Local Government Association.
Information about number of breast implant surgeries revealed in new report
A registry designed to safeguard the health of patients undergoing breast implant surgery now contains details of 20,665 operations.
NHS Digital funding to help adult social care provider sector build a digital future
NHS Digital has awarded £784,000 to the members of the Care Provider Alliance to deliver a new sector-led service which will offer digital support for social care providers.
Latest figures published on prescribing for diabetes
NHS Digital has today published its latest annual Prescribing for Diabetes: England 2007/08 to 2017/18 report.
More women attend for breast screening thanks to success of digital inclusion project
An NHS project using social media to improve health by boosting digital inclusion has led to a 13 per cent increase in first time attendances for breast screening in Stoke-on-Trent over four years.
Annual report on GP activity in England published
Figures showing the prevalence of 21 conditions, including asthma, hypertension, dementia, diabetes, and depression are published today by NHS Digital.
Rise in proportion of induced labours, new maternity figures show
The proportion of pregnant women having labour induced has increased by 2.2 percentage points1 over the past year, newly-published maternity data from NHS Digital reveals.
Local authorities receive 5,100 new requests for adult social care assistance a day
New figures from NHS Digital show that local authorities received 1.8 million new requests for adult social care support in 2017-18, an increase of 1.6 per cent on 2016-17 and equivalent to 5,100 new requests per day.
Health Secretary: My tech vision will help build most advanced health and care system in the world
Outdated and obstructive NHS IT systems will become a thing of the past, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has said as he launches his technology vision today.
20.1 per cent of 10 to 11 year olds and 9.5 per cent of 4 to 5 year olds are obese
The prevalence of obesity has increased in Year 6 schoolchildren from 20.0 per cent in 2016/17 to 20.1 per cent in 2017/18, according to official statistics published by NHS Digital today. This equates to 116,000 children being obese in 2017/182.
Partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital for new technology innovation centre announced
A new technology innovation centre will open later today at Great Ormond Street Hospital, with backing from us and several technology companies, to transform the use of technology including artificial intelligence in healthcare and improve patient outcomes.
New interactive online data tool provides easier access to mental health statistics
National mental health statistics that shed new light on care and treatment for patients are now available at the click of a mouse thanks to the latest interactive data hub created by NHS Digital.
NHS Digital welcomes funding for joint project with MHRA on creating synthetic devices
NHS Digital’s deputy chief executive has welcomed news that the government has awarded funding for a project which will see us work with MHRA in developing synthetic datasets.
1.4 percentage point increase in people paying for some of their social care
The proportion of people receiving council funded or managed care, who report that they or their family pay for some of their care and support has risen from 35.3 per cent in 2016/17 to 36.7 per cent in 2017/18, according to figures released by NHS Digital.
Leeds is the first city to go live with GP Connect
GP practices and clinical staff can share and view authorised information and data between IT systems, quickly and efficiently, using GP Connect.
Sarah Wilkinson delivers keynote speech at UK Health Show
28 September 2018: NHS Digital CEO, Sarah Wilkinson, told clinicians and senior health leaders how a ‘new wave of data’ offers huge advantages to the health and care sector, in a keynote speech at the UK Health Show this week.
NHS Digital has today published national statistics about activity at sexual and reproductive health services in 2017-18
Sexual and Reproductive Health Services, England 2017-18
New care and support guide released on the NHS website
27 September 2018: A new guide to social care and support has been released on the NHS website, to provide guidance to people who may need social care, their families and carers.
NHS Digital announces new Chief Information Security Officer
NHS Digital’s new Chief Information Security Officer will start with the organisation on 1 October 2018.
Eighteen local partnerships design adult social care services of the future with £1.4m funding
20 September 2018: New funding will demonstrate how predictive analytics and digital information sharing can improve care and support for people needing social care services.
Hospital admission statistics published
Statistics on NHS admissions into hospitals in England have been published today by NHS Digital.
Coverage declines in nine of the 12 routine child vaccinations and increases in one
Figures published today show that coverage declined for nine of the 12 routine vaccinations measured at age 12 months, 24 months or five years in 2017-18 in England compared to the previous year.
A&E attendances increase by 22 per cent in the last decade
There were 23.8 million attendances to Accident and Emergency departments in England during 2017-18, which is an increase of two per cent compared with 2016-17 and 22 per cent since 2008-09, according to official figures.
New professional information standard for digital maternity records published
A new standard has been published to support digital maternity records that will ensure that record information is consistent and can be shared more easily across healthcare services in England in the future.
Written complaints rise for GP and dental practices but fall for hospitals and community health services
The NHS in England reported receiving 208,626 written complaints during 2017-18 – 0.1 per cent more than the previous year, figures published today show
100 per cent of trusts switched over to e-Referral Service
All acute hospital trusts across England have successfully switched to electronic referrals for first outpatient appointments – almost a month ahead of schedule.
Call for secondary schools to take part in survey of young people’s smoking, drinking and drug use
Secondary schools across England are being asked to volunteer to take part in a statistical survey that will act as a barometer for young people’s alcohol, nicotine and drug use.
Survey findings released showing primary care dentists' morale, motivation and working patterns
Findings show that nearly two thirds of principal dentists and over half of associate dentists have said that they ‘often think about leaving general dental practice’, according to figures released today by NHS Digital.
NHS workforce increases by 1.6 percent in a year
The total number of Full Time Equivalents (FTE) employed by the NHS increased by nearly 19,800 between March 2017 and March 2018, new figures3 from NHS Digital show.
North leads the way in ditching paper for hospital appointments
All acute hospital trusts across the north of England have successfully switched to receiving 100% of referrals for first outpatient appointments through the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS).
Widening Digital Participation Programme helps patients improve their health
Two pilot projects are proving that digital technology helps people to better manage their health.
Quality of healthcare premises is captured in latest patient-led assessments
16 August 2018: Annual patient-led assessments of non-clinical elements of care such as food and waiting areas have been published by NHS Digital today
Creating a new IT ecosystem for General Practice
13 August 2018: NHS Digital launches engagement opportunity for supplier community
Every GP practice across London successfully makes switch to Electronic Prescription Service
6 August: GP practices across London have successfully made the switch to using the Electronic Prescription Service – saving hours of GPs’, pharmacists’ and patients’ time every day.
NHS Digital Vacancy Statistics published
26 July: New statistics related to vacancies in the NHS have been published
Visits to NHS Choices for heat-related health advice rise by nearly 450%
Demand for online heat-related health advice from the NHS is soaring as most of England continues to bask in a heatwave.
NHS Digital welcomes three new, non-executive directors
John Noble, Deborah Oakley and Balram Veliath joined the Board at NHS Digital on 1 July 2018, bringing their expertise to the leadership of the organisation.
Statement in response to RCN press release: Digital transformation of health care will remain a pipe dream without involving nurses, RCN warns
STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO RCN PRESS RELEASE: Digital transformation of health care will remain a pipe dream without involving nurses, RCN warns
NHS Digital annual report and accounts published
The NHS Digital annual report and accounts for 2017-18 has been published.
NHS Apps Library reaches 70 apps in honour of the NHS birthday
Patients can access a range of new tools on the NHS Apps Library, offering personalised advice, self-care and signposts to health services.
NHS70 - Seven facts for seven decades
In celebration of the NHS’s 70th birthday this week, NHS Digital reveals seven statistics for seven decades.
Around 1.6 million fewer adult smokers in England in six years
The number of adult smokers in England has dropped by around 1.6m between 2011 and 2017, official figures released by NHS Digital, Public Health England and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.
NHS Digital and TPP statement about type 2 objections error
NHS Digital’s statement about an error with recording type 2 objections and a message from TPP
NHS Digital leading the protection of patient data with new patient de-identification solution
NHS Digital has signed a contract to deliver a new software solution for the de-identification of patient information, which will help to improve the way that data is used across the NHS and social care.
Cyber security boost to the NHS as NHS Digital joins forces with IBM
NHS Digital has entered into a three-year strategic partnership with IBM to provide a range of new and improved services to health and care organisations.
Private healthcare data to be captured by NHS systems
26 June 2018 - An initiative has been launched to ensure private healthcare data is recorded in the same way as NHS data in England, with the aim of improving consistency across the system.
Twelve councils to share funding to explore social care digital innovation ideas
Twelve councils have been chosen by NHS Digital and the Local Government Association to explore how technology could help shape the future of social care.
Statistics on care of people with learning disabilities
Statistics on care of people with learning disabilities to mark learning disability week
GPs urged to make most of cancer screening dashboard
GPs and health organisations are being urged to help to improve rates of potentially lifesaving cervical screening by making the most of an innovative online data tool.
Figures published on surplus land in the NHS estate
Information on land and buildings which have been sold by the NHS, as well as land which has been retained but developed and used for housing, has been published by NHS Digital.
New funding to digitise information flow between adult social care and health settings
Local authorities, residential and domiciliary adult social care providers, researchers, academic organisations working in partnership with health organisations are being invited to apply for new funding to enable better sharing of social care and clinical information and data.
Over half of acute trusts now successfully switched over to the NHS e-Referral Service
More than 50 per cent of acute hospital trusts in England have switched off paper referrals and are now processing GP referrals for outpatient appointments digitally.
Implementing child protection system ‘must be priority’ for councils and NHS organisations – children’s minister
Children’s Minister Nadhim Zahawi MP has called on councils and NHS organisations yet to implement a child protection information sharing system to do so as a priority.
Historical workforce statistics in lead-up to NHS70
Historical workforce statistics in lead-up to NHS70 birthday milestone
National data opt-out introduced across England
The ‘National Data Opt-Out’ is introduced today, providing a facility for individuals to opt-out from the use of their data for research or planning purposes. This is provided in line with the recommendations of the National Data Guardian in her Review of Data Security, Consent and Opt-Outs. The service will initially be in beta, while we ensure the service design is optimal.
NHS Digital's response to Lord Carter's report
NHS Digital's Senior Clinical Lead Caron Swinscoe has welcomed Lord Carter's independent report into how improvements in technology could boost the productivity of mental health and community services around the country.
New Toolkit to help keep information safe
NHS Digital has launched the new Data Security and Protection Toolkit, replacing the previous Information Governance Toolkit, to help keep patient information safe.
Cyber News Brief
The WannaCry cyber incident was a global attack on an unprecedented scale. While it was not directly targeted at the NHS it had a major impact on health and care.
New £1m funding for innovative digital adult social care pilots
Following the success of last year’s Local Investment Programme, NHS Digital and the Local Government Association have announced new funding for digital pilots that benefit people who access adult social care and improve services.
A statement from NHS Digital on the Memorandum of Understanding with the Home Office
A statement from NHS Digital on the Memorandum of Understanding with the Home Office
Guide launched to improve access to digital healthcare for all
Guide launched to improve access to digital healthcare for all
High earners more likely to drink alcohol, new statistics show
High earners more likely to drink alcohol, new statistics show
Boost to NHS cyber security as new security measures announced
Unsupported Microsoft systems in the NHS will be a thing of the past under new plans announced today to strengthen resilience against cyber-attacks as part of a new multi-million deal with Microsoft.
Microsoft deal - background information
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced a new centralised Windows 10 agreement which offers local organisations Microsoft Windows operating system licences, including Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (WDATP).
Chief Nurse hails ‘great opportunity to use technology’ in new report
NHS Digital Chief Nurse Anne Cooper uses the foreword of a new Queen’s Nursing Institute report being published today to say that we are on the cusp of a great opportunity to use technology to accelerate the contribution community nurses make to patient care.