NHS England confirms formal recognition of Digital, Data and Technology profession

NHS England has confirmed a new partnership approach to support the professional recognition of the NHS Digital, Data and Technology workforce, bringing DDaT roles into closer alignment with other established NHS professions.

Announced at the REWIRED conference, the approach recognises the critical role that digital, data and technology professionals play in delivering safe, reliable and modern healthcare services.

Martin Dennys, Deputy Director Digital Profession, Transformation Directorate, NHS England, said: “Setting the expectation for phased professional registration for DDaT staff across the NHS is a key foundation to the professional delivery and enablement of the 10 Year Health Plan, particularly all aspects of analogue to digital.”  

Through collaboration with the Federation for Informatics Professionals (FEDIP) and its member professional bodies, NHS England will support a phased expectation of professional membership and registration, starting at senior levels, alongside improved affordability of membership for the majority of the workforce.

Professional membership provides access to recognised ethical standards, continuous professional development, and national communities of practice. This work does not introduce new mandatory employer training requirements and takes account of existing professional and financial commitments, particularly for clinical colleagues.

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The offer introduces a phased and affordable expectation of professional membership, starting with senior roles and expanding to all levels by 2031. With significantly reduced membership rates for AfC Band 7 and below, supported Continuing Professional Development, accreditation pathways and access to national professional communities, this programme brings DDaT in line with other established NHS professions.

Further details of the offer, including the new affordability rates, are available on the NHS website: https://digital-transformation.hee.nhs.uk/news/professional-membership-for-the-nhs-digital%2C-data-and-technology-workforce

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Leaders from across the NHS, professional bodies and partner organisations have welcomed the new approach and its role in strengthening the professional identity of the digital, data and technology workforce.

Andrew Griffiths, Chief Executive of the Federation for Informatics Professionals, said: “This partnership creates a clearer, more consistent approach to professional standards and development for the digital workforce, while making professional membership more affordable and accessible.”

William Monaghan, Group Chief Digital Information Officer at University Hospitals of Leicester and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire said: “Digital, data and technology professionals are fundamental to safe patient care in the modern NHS, and it's right that they receive the same professional recognition as other groups.

I'm incredibly proud of my own FEDIP registration and what it represents - a commitment to professional standards in a field that has lacked formal recognition for too long.

Across our group, we have around 30,000 colleagues who depend on digital systems every day. The people behind those systems deserve proper professional standing, and this partnership between NHS England and FEDIP is a welcome and important step.” 

Jason Teoh CIO, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust said: 

“I welcome the recognition that the new partnership between NHS England and the Federation for Informatics Professionals (FEDIP) gives to our Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) workforce.

University Hospital Southampton have been corporate members of the BCS for several years. This announcement will be welcome news to the more than one hundred UHS digital staff who are members of the British Computer Society, and who will benefit from this new partnership.

It recognises the important role we play in helping to deliver modern, safe and effective patient care, and gives a clear route to professional standing and development opportunities in the Digital, Data and Technology space.”

Sharron Gunn, CEO of BCS said: “This is a vital step forward for NHSE and for the millions of people whose healthcare relies on safe, secure, and effective digital services every day.

Expecting professional IT registration for digital, data, and technology (DDaT) staff recognises that these roles are now as critical to patient outcomes as clinical care itself. It sets a clear expectation that those designing, building, and maintaining NHS systems are held to consistent, high professional standards, underpinned by ethics, accountability and continuous development.

At BCS, we have long championed professional registration as a cornerstone of public trust in technology. This move will help ensure that NHSE digital services are not only innovative, but resilient, secure, and centred on patient needs.

We stand ready to support the NHS and their professionals through this transition, helping to build a digitally confident workforce that can meet the challenges of modern healthcare and deliver better outcomes for all.”

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As part of this approach, accessible entry routes are available for those not yet professionally registered. The FEDIP Affiliate Practitioner grade enables individuals to begin their professional journey, demonstrating commitment to recognised standards, ethics and continuous development while progressing towards full registration. Further information is available at: https://www.fedip.org/affiliatepractitionerfedip