Fully digitised: FAQs for suppliers on the Assured Solutions List

What does 'fully digitised' mean? 

A fully digitised care provider is one that: 

• Uses an assured digital social care record (DSCR) from the Assured Solutions List
• Complies with the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) at 'Standards Met' level 

This combination lays the foundations for real-time visibility of information across health and care services, enabling better coordination of care. 

Why is the government aiming for all care providers to be 'fully digitised' by the end of this Parliament? 

Four out of five care providers (80%) have already moved from paper to digital care record solutions. The next step is for all care providers to use solutions which have core capabilities and meet government standards. The government is aiming for all care providers to be fully digitised so that: 

• Service user data is recorded and stored safely
• Solutions meet consistent national standards
• Solutions continue to evolve to meet the sector's changing needs
• People using adult social care services, their carers and families can be confident that providers meet baseline levels of digitisation 

When do care providers need to be fully digitised? 

In January 2025, the government announced its ambition for all care providers to become fully digitised by the end of this parliament (currently June 2029). 

This means care staff will have timely access to essential medical information, improving the quality and safety of care.  

How will the Department of Health and Social Care know if a provider is fully digitised? 

The Department uses existing data collections that care providers already complete: 

• Monthly Capacity Tracker – identifies which digital social care record (DSCR) solution providers use to record care planning information
• Annual Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) – confirms whether care providers meet the 'Standards Met' criteria 

Providers don't need to submit any additional information. 

Why is it important to remain on the Assured Solutions List? 

Care providers will not be fully digitised without using an assured DSCR, if you are no longer on the assured solutions list you may lose customers. 

Through assured DSCRs, appropriate staff can access core patient information for the people in their care via GP Connect. 

But the key benefit is future-proofing. Assured solutions will be able to connect with other solutions across health and social care. In January, we announced that we will be investing in the development of national data infrastructure for social care, which will lay the foundations for near real-time visibility of information from adult social care and health care services.   

Assured digital social care records are also an essential part of the vision for the Single Patient Record. This will give people a single, secure and authoritative account of their data and a single record across health and care settings to enable more co-ordinated, personalised and predictive care.   

Key information about an individual’s care contained in an assured digital social care record would be shared through the Single Patient Record, with appropriate governance and controls. This means care professionals would have real-time access to essential information, enabling better assessment and planning for the people you support.  

Non-assured solutions may not be able to share data in this way.,  

How often do I need to renew my assurance status? 

Your overall assurance status does not expire. Once you're on the Assured Solutions List, you remain on it as long as you continue to meet the required standards. 

Some certifications and evidence must be renewed regularly. The list of annual renewal requirements is available in Confluence. 

You must ensure these certifications and tests remain current. If any expire, you may be asked to provide updated evidence or risk being removed from the Assured Solutions List. 

NHS England may conduct periodic reviews to confirm continued compliance with standards. 

What happens if I fail to meet new standards? 

After you're on the assured solutions list (ASL), you must comply with existing standards and work towards compliance with new standards when they're introduced. 

If you're unable to meet current standards NHS England will typically: 

• Notify you of any areas of non-compliance
• Provide reasonable time to address the issues 

Voluntary exit 

You may choose to exit the ASL if you're unable or unwilling to meet the required standards. 

Removal from the list 

If you cannot demonstrate compliance within a reasonable timeframe, NHS England may remove your solution from the Assured Solutions List. 

Impact of removal from the assured solutions list: 

• Loss of market confidence and potential customers
• Care providers may be required by commissioners to use assured solutions. 

If you do not intend to pursue compliance: 

• Inform customers promptly so they can plan transitions.
• Be transparent about contract implications, exit clauses, and data migration support. 

How to avoid removal 

We strongly recommend: 

• Monitoring published standards and upcoming requirements regularly
• Planning ahead for new standards published on the roadmap
• Maintaining all required certifications and testing schedules
• Engaging proactively with NHS England if you anticipate challenges meeting standards 

How can I stay informed about changes to standards? 

• Roadmap updates: NHS England publishes a roadmap of upcoming standards and requirements. Check this regularly to plan ahead for new requirements.
• Supplier communications: If you're on the Assured Solutions List NHS England will communicate directly about important changes.
• Website updates: Visit Digitising Social Care regularly for the latest guidance and announcements. 

Glossary 

• Assured Solutions List (ASL): The list of digital social care record solutions approved by NHS England as meeting national quality, security and interoperability standards.
• Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT): An online self-assessment that organisations use to measure their performance against data security and information governance requirements.
• Digital social care record (DSCR): A digital system for recording, storing and managing information about people's care and support needs.