NHS England to cease funding clinical information standards body

Exclusive: Concerns have been raised that plans to cease funding for the body which develops clinical information standards for health and social care could stall digital ambitions in the 10 year health plan. Digital Health News has learned that the contract for the Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB), which was founded in 2013, will not be renewed when it ends in December 2025 because NHSE intends to develop and maintain clinical standards in-house. In a statement on behalf of its members, PRSB said: “We believe that removing independent clinical and technical expertise and dis-establishing a trusted, cross-sector community network will reduce the momentum behind digital transformation, and the consequences will be felt across the health and care system, by doctors and nurses, allied health professionals, social care professionals and, most importantly, by patients and service users.” It adds: “If it ceases to exist, we risk losing both critical capability and the hard-won trust that underpins successful, joined-up digital care for the 10 year plan.” PRSB is writing to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to see if it would be willing to fund the organisation going forward. Oliver Lake, chief executive of PRSB, told Digital Health News: “Our widely implemented standards, backed by clinical expertise and strong partnerships across the sector, are helping to improve patient records and patient safety.” He added that despite uncertainties around funding, PRSB hopes to “work collaboratively with NHSE and the DHSC to improve data quality”. Commenting on the funding cut, Professor Andrew Morris, director of Health Data Research UK, said: “Losing PRSB’s independent stewardship of data standards risks stalling the momentum needed to deliver digital transformation and research-led growth promised in the NHS 10 year health plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan. “Without consistent, well-governed datasets built on a common language, clinicians and patients will face broken records, greater risk and poorer outcomes, while lifesaving research and clinical trials will be delayed.” Hayley Grafton, chair of the Clinical Nursing Information Officer Advisory Panel, said: “The decision to withdraw central funding for the PRSB sends a troubling message at a critical time. “Standards aren’t admin, they are the foundation for safe, interoperable, patient-centred care. PRSB has provided the independent, clinically-informed voice needed to define what good looks like in records. “Removing this capability puts our progress towards integrated care, shared records, and data-driven transformation at risk.” Amy Freeman, chair of the Clinical Information Officer Advisory Panel, said: “There is an urgent need to accelerate transformation, enabled by technology and data as detailed in the 10 year health plan. “This shift will inevitably require new ways of collecting, structuring and using information, and a fresh look at standards at pace may be a driver for the change. “I understand that the financial pressures across the whole of the NHS are real and must be addressed – but in doing so, do we risk losing the unique value that independent organisations like PRSB bring: rich, diverse perspectives and trusted co-production with frontline clinicians?” A spokesperson for NHSE said: “NHS England is committed to creating the best digital clinical standards possible, however, within an evolving operating environment, we are exploring changes to our funding arrangements with PRSB. “These changes will be made within the scope of providing the best value for the taxpayer.” This story was amended at 14.58 on 1 September 2025 to add a comment from NHSE.