News
Coronavirus letters sent in error to deceased patients: A message to family members affected
Although we are unable to contact you personally, we would like to say how sorry we are for any distress that may have been caused by the letter you have received.
Coronavirus letters sent in error to deceased patients
We would like to apologise for an error that has led to a very small proportion of the letters intended to notify people most at risk of Coronavirus being sent to patients who have died.
Statement for people who think they have inaccurately been sent communication about being on the shielded list for Coronavirus
We have recently sent texts and letters to patients who are to be shielded from Coronavirus, to give them the information and advice they need.
DHSC press release: Online isolation notes launched - providing proof of coronavirus absence from work
People unable to work for more than seven days because of coronavirus (COVID-19) can obtain an isolation note through a new online service.
Messaging tool for NHS to support remote working during coronavirus outbreak
A messaging and conferencing app will be available for free, for a limited time period across the NHS, to counter the increased risks associated with COVID-19.
Data and services to support the management of Coronavirus
NHS Digital has been asked by the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care and NHS England to collect and analyse data as part of measures to counter the spread of Coronavirus.
NHS unveils package of measures to help people find trusted health information online
The NHS today unveiled new developments in its efforts to ensure people find trusted information online. It has worked with Google to ensure it provides the public in the UK with easy access to NHS information about more than 250 of the most searched for health conditions on the NHS website, through new Knowledge Panels.
NHS website clinical content modularised for better syndication
The most popular 250 pages of clinically assured content on the NHS website can now be used more flexibly, thanks to the next stage of the existing syndication programme.
New electronic notifications service for vaccinations launched this winter
• Saves time, keeps GPs informed and improves accuracy of health data • Allows GPs to identify unvaccinated patients from at-risk groups
New statistics on England’s social care workforce published
NHS Digital has today published its latest annual report on the local authority-employed adult social care workforce in England.
Latest statistics on staff at independent healthcare providers released
Information about employees of Independent Healthcare Providers (IHPs) in England has been published today by NHS Digital.
NHS Digital and PHIN launch consultation on next phase of Acute Data Alignment Programme
NHS Digital and the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) have launched a consultation as part of the next phase of a programme to align private healthcare data with NHS recorded activity.
Digital midwives win prestigious award for their use of tech
An NHS Digital-run group for digital midwives has won an award for 'Use of Technology in Midwifery' at the British Journal of Midwifery awards.
Latest patient outcomes data on hip and knee replacements published today
The results from questionnaires completed by patients who have undergone hip and knee replacements have been published by NHS Digital today.
Local digital adult social care projects awarded share of £4.5m
Sixteen organisations that provide and commission adult social care services are to receive a share of £4.5m to enable them to roll out their local digital projects on a wider scale.
Digital champions key to tackling distrust in online health confidentiality
A lack of skills and a distrust of health information online are two of the biggest barriers for patients to use the internet, according to new research.
Analysis of Pathways NHS111 calls linked to hospital attendances published
NHS Digital has today published for the first time experimental statistics analysing data from Pathways1 NHS111 calls linked to Hospital Episode Statistics.
National expansion of Real Time Exemption Checking service for prescriptions
An NHS electronic system which enables pharmacies to immediately check if a patient is eligible for free prescriptions is being rolled out nationally.
Around 360,000 admissions to hospital as a result of alcohol in 2018/19
Drinking alcohol was the main reason for 358,000 admissions to hospital in 2018/19 according to new figures published by NHS Digital today.
NHS Digital appoints Pete Rose as new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the health and care system and Deputy CEO
NHS Digital has today announced the appointment of Pete Rose as the new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the health and care system and its new Deputy CEO.
Patient assessments of NHS food, cleanliness and other non-clinical aspects of hospital care published today
Results of the annual patient-led assessments of non-clinical elements of care, such as catering services, cleanliness and waiting facilities are published today.
NHS unveils ‘Faces of the NHS App’
The NHS has revealed the first nine frontline NHS staff members who have been selected to become the ‘Faces’ of a campaign to promote the NHS App to patients.
More patients to benefit from single secure access to healthcare apps as NHS Digital launches NHS login toolkit
Approved digital health and care app and website developers can now integrate NHS login into their products thanks to a new toolkit launched by NHS Digital.
Annual information on the health and care of people with learning disabilities is published
Information on the health of people with learning disabilities in 2018-19 has been released today by NHS Digital.
Number of NHS App users more than double in 3 months as ‘App Ambassadors’ set to work
The number of patients using the NHS App has more than doubled since Chief Nurse Ruth May announced the ‘NHS App Ambassadors’ scheme in early September.
Reports on adult safeguarding and deferred payment agreements published today
The latest information on adult safeguarding and deferred payment agreements during 2018/19 has been released today by NHS Digital in two reports.
State of the nation’s health in 2018 shown in new report
The latest figures for the Health Survey for England have been released by NHS Digital, monitoring trends in the nation’s health and featuring new data on gambling, asthma and longstanding conditions.
NHS Digital publishes detailed picture of mental health in England
Annual figures on mental health, learning disability and autism services have been published today by NHS Digital.
Drug-related hospital admissions data for 2018-19 published in new report
The latest figures on drug misuse in England have been published today by NHS Digital.
New figures on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards released
NHS Digital has released new figures on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) for care homes and hospitals.
Latest cervical screening figures released
The latest annual report on cervical screening coverage has been published by NHS Digital today.
Prescribing costs for 2018-19 published
Information on the estimated costs at list price of medicines used in hospitals and prescribed in primary care in 2018-19 has been published by NHS Digital.
Experimental waiting times data for autism services published for first time
Partial statistics on waiting times for people in contact with autism services have been published today by NHS Digital.
Strong showing for NHS Digital as four shortlisted for prestigious ‘Women in IT’ awards
Women in NHS Digital have been shortlisted for four different Women in IT awards from the Women in IT Global Initiative.
Report published on extent of pharmacy services in England
NHS Digital has today published figures on activity carried out by community pharmacies and appliance contractors in England.
Connectivity issues for some users of NHSmail through Outlook
We are aware that some users are currently unable to access NHSmail through Outlook.
Painkiller use in childbirth drops six percentage points in a decade
The use of analgesics or anaesthetics before or during delivery has dropped from 67% of all deliveries in 2008-09 to 61% in 2018-191, new figures released by NHS Digital show.
New social media techniques used to boost cancer screening rates
Hundreds of practice nurses across the country have been taught how social media can improve health thanks to the success of one of NHS Digital’s Widening Digital Participation projects.
Annual Mental Health Act detentions published
NHS Digital has published new figures on the number of detentions carried out under the Mental Health Act in 2018-19.
NHS Digital’s Clinical Adviser for maternity wins a Gold Chief Midwifery Officer Award
A Clinical Adviser at NHS Digital who is leading the charge to digitise maternity services has been recognised with a special gold award from England’s Chief Midwifery Officer.
Annual Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) report for England published
Figures showing the recorded prevalence of 21 conditions1, including asthma, hypertension, dementia, diabetes, and depression are published today by NHS Digital.
Three reports providing official adult social care statistics released by NHS Digital today
NHS Digital has today published three reports which include the latest statistics on those in receipt of adult social care in England.
Universal electronic prescriptions could save NHS £300m in next three years
Prescription processing is to become digital by default as the final phase of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is rolled out across the country.
Successful suppliers announced for new GP IT Futures framework
Nearly 70 GP IT system suppliers are to be awarded contracts to supply IT systems via the new GP IT Futures framework.
Leeds pharmacies and GP practices first to share flu vaccination details via clinical systems
Information about flu vaccinations is being sent from pharmacies to GP practices in a pilot scheme run by NHS Digital.
NHS Digital publishes annual Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry report
NHS Digital has today published the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry annual report.
Annual information published on cost of NHS estate
Information relating to the costs of providing, maintaining and servicing the NHS estate has been published by NHS Digital today.
Statistics on NHS Health Checks broken down by age, gender and ethnicity for the first time
Local demographic statistics on NHS Health Checks attended in England between April 2012 and March 2018 has been published for the first time today.
NHS Digital supports visual data challenge
NHS Digital has partnered with the Nuffield Trust and British Medical Journal (BMJ) for a new data visualisation competition that aims to shine a light on data about health and care inequalities in England.
New resources help organisations to support older people to use digital
This week is Get Online Week - the UK’s largest digital inclusion campaign - and we’re celebrating the positive impact that digital can have for older people through a new report launched today (Good Things Foundation press release).
Rob Shaw CBE announces his departure from NHS Digital
Rob Shaw, deputy CEO at NHS Digital has announced that he will be leaving the organisation at Christmas, to pursue a consulting career.
NHS Digital puts biometric login coding at developers’ fingertips
NHS Digital has released two pieces of code under open source that will allow developers to include biometric login into their products and services.
Mental health crisis plan access for ambulance staff to go live
Ambulance clinicians will soon be able to access the mental health crisis plans of emergency patients while on the move, following the successful first pilot phase of the National Record Locator.
Annual outpatients activity report published
NHS Digital has today published the Hospital Outpatient Activity, 2018/19 report.
Obesity increased in reception children in 2018-19, while levels remained similar in year 6 pupils
Obesity prevalence among reception-aged schoolchildren in England increased between 2017-18 and 2018-19, new statistics from NHS Digital show.
New mortality indicator published on people with learning disabilities
The indicator2 measures the national and local standardised mortality ratio3 of the learning disabilities population.
Fall in coverage for all routine childhood vaccinations in England in 2018-19
Coverage for all routine childhood vaccinations administered to children under five decreased in England in 2018-19 compared to the previous year, a new report shows.
NHS Digital launches staff campaign to boost cyber security in the workplace
NHS staff are being given support and advice to improve cyber security across the system
Hospital admission statistics published
Statistics on all NHS admissions into hospitals in England in 2018-19 have been published today by NHS Digital.
Latest NHS Payments to General Practice figures published
The NHS Payments to General Practice, England, 2018/19 report has been published today by NHS Digital.
New hub to enhance clinical trial capability
NHS Digital partners with University of Oxford, Microsoft and IBM for pioneering new venture.
A&E attendances twice as high for people in the most deprived areas as in the least deprived
There were more than twice as many attendances to Accident and Emergency departments in England for the 10% of the population living in the most deprived areas (3.1 million), compared with the least deprived 10% (1.5 million) in 2018-19, according to official figures released today.
Number of care providers using NHSmail increases tenfold
The number of care providers using NHSmail, the NHS’ centrally-funded secure email service, has surged since the start of the year, from 97 providers to 1,076.
Digital tools help improve access to healthcare for patients with hearing and sight loss
People with sensory impairments in West Yorkshire and Harrogate have been given the knowledge to use digital health tools to make visiting the GP easier.
NHS Digital publishes biannual workforce figures
NHS Digital has today published its biannual report on the healthcare workforce across primary and secondary care as well as the independent sector.
NHS Digital publishes estimates of GP and dental earnings and expenses
The Dental Earnings and Expenses Estimates 2017/18 and GP Earnings and Expenses Estimates 2017/18 reports have been published today by NHS Digital.
Report on NHS dentistry drills down to deeper level of activity data for first time
The latest annual dental statistics from NHS Digital contain the most in-depth information about dental care ever published in this series.
Nine new tools and services to use NHS login
NHS login – the service providing patients with a secure, simple way to identify themselves and match them to their records – will be used by nine more services.
CCG leads way with latest electronic prescription upgrade live in all GP practices
Portsmouth has become the first area in the country where prescriptions for all patients can be sent electronically.
NHS Digital celebrates five years of Spine II as the backbone of the national health service
This week NHS Spine marks five years since it was brought in house by NHS Digital and run as an open source service for the NHS by the NHS – saving the service £150m in the process.
Pupils who have recently smoked, drunk alcohol and taken drugs are more likely to be ‘unhappy’ according to new report
New figures revealed by NHS Digital showed 51% of young people aged 11 to 15 who had recently drunk alcohol, smoked cigarettes and taken drugs experienced low levels of happiness.
Helping doctors and nurses to improve care for patients with a learning disability
NHS Digital pilot will improve care for people with a learning disability by introducing a reasonable adjustment flag on patient records2.
NHS Digital’s Head of Legal nominated for prestigious award
NHS Digital’s Head of Legal has been nominated for the Law Society’s In-House Solicitor of the Year award.
First phase of GP IT Futures framework procurement finishes
NHS Digital has completed the first phase of the GP IT Futures procurement process – with the invitation to tender now closed.
Perimeter security contract provides cyber security boost for the NHS
The NHS will receive free-to-adopt, world class perimeter security services as NHS Digital signs contract with Accenture.
Latest experimental statistics about female genital mutilation published
New official figures published today provide experimental statistics on female genital mutilation (FGM) in England, from April 2018 to March 2019.
Blazing Britain boosts heat-related NHS website visits
Soaring temperatures across the UK this week has seen a boom in the number of visits to the NHS website for heat-related illness.
NHS Digital cyber team wins prestigious data security award
NHS Digital has won the Data and Information Security Award at the Public Sector Paperless Awards for the Data and Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT).
Talking therapies: New statistics show an increase in referrals, numbers starting treatment and recovery rates during 2018-19
1.60m referrals were made to talking therapies for anxiety and depression in England during 2018-19 – up 11.4% from the previous year (1.44m in 2017-18).
NHS Digital commercial and HSCN teams win prestigious innovation award
NHS Digital won the Innovation Award at the Yorkshire and Humber Skills and Development Network Commercial Awards for the Health and Social Care Network (HSCN), which has saved the NHS almost £50m per year.
Around 1.8m fewer adult smokers in England in 2018 compared with seven years ago
The number of adult cigarette smokers1 in England has dropped by around 1.8m from 7.7m2 (19.8%) in 20113 to 5.9m (14.4%) in 2018, new official figures show.
NHS Digital chief executive listed in 100 most influential women in UK India relations
NHS Digital’s chief executive Sarah Wilkinson has been named in the top 100 most influential women in UK India relations.
Embrace the NHS App as part of your practice’s digital toolbox
Southampton-based GP and NHS Digital Interim Chief Medical Officer, Amir Mehrkar, urges his fellow GPs to embrace the NHS App as another digital tool to help their practices.
Increase in adult carers feeling stressed or depressed
60.6% of carers reported feeling stressed in 2018-19 (up from 58.7% in 2016-17)2, according to a survey of 50,800 adult carers in England, published today by NHS Digital.
NHS Digital scoops Digital Leaders 100 award
NHS Digital scooped a top innovation award at the Digital Leaders 100 awards last night.
Quicker access to the Summary Care Record for community pharmacies
Pharmacists can now access vital patient information quickly and simply through a new Summary Care Record (SCR) 1-click function.
Figures published on surplus land in the NHS estate
NHS Surplus Land 2018/19 includes information on land and buildings which have been sold by the NHS, and land which has been retained but developed for housing.
Apps Library assessment portal launches
A digital assessment portal which will streamline and improve the process for developers seeking to have their app included on the NHS Apps Library has launched.
NHS WiFi now available to millions of patients
Free NHS WiFi is now available in 6,749 GP practices and 212 acute, mental health and community NHS Trusts across England, benefitting millions of patients.
Child safeguarding system reaches 100 per cent roll-out in London
The Child Protection Information Sharing (CP-IS) system has reached 100% coverage in London for the first time, flagging young patients arriving at unscheduled healthcare settings to their social workers.
Health Secretary: Ambitious tech overhaul will make NHS most advanced health and care system in the world
Top technology companies will be challenged to develop new, innovative GP IT systems to empower patients to access more health services online and through their phones, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces today .
Invitation to Tender launched for GP IT Futures programme
NHS Digital has issued an invitation to tender for existing and new suppliers to deliver a new IT systems framework for primary care.
Summary Hospital-level Mortality Indicator (SHMI) is updated
The SHMI reports on mortality at trust level across the NHS in England. Methodological changes will be made from today’s publication.
NHS 111 online hits one million triages mark
NHS 111 online has been used more than one million times to get people the medical help they need since its launch in December 2017.
NHS Digital reaches agreement to offer NHS organisations discounted access to cloud services
NHS Digital has reached an agreement with software firm VMware to provide NHS organisations with discounted access to VWware Cloud on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
NHS Digital chief nurse calls on nurses and midwives to continue to take the lead on digital revolution
To mark International Nurses’ Day NHS Digital’s acting chief nurse, Caron Swinscoe, talks about how small technological and information sharing advances have the chance to make a real difference to nurses and midwives on the frontline and the patients they care for.