When I think about what makes digital transformation meaningful, it always comes back to one thing: people. The Single Patient Record (SPR) is no different.

The creation of a single patient record is a central commitment in the 10 Year Health Plan. It sets out our ambition to give patients real control over their data through a single, secure and patient-controlled record. This will mean they no longer have to repeat their medical history at every appointment, and staff will have a full picture to make safer, faster decisions.

This vision was formally announced by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care last October, setting out the need to create a single patient record owned by the patient and shared safely across the system.

While technology is a powerful enabler, it’s only valuable if it delivers what patients and NHS staff really need.

What the public told us

Through our nationwide public deliberations earlier this year, people were clear about their expectations. They told us:

• Proceed at pace. A single patient record feels like a long-overdue solution to many of the frustrations the public feel across multiple health and care settings.
• Include a record of access. An audit trail will provide reassurance that access is subject to constraints and oversight.
• Tiered access is essential. Constraints on access are essential to the public trusting a single patient record.
• Ensure rigorous training in data use and data security. This will reassure the public that their data is being used safely and appropriately.
• Patient access is a must. This can help patients better manage their own health, and many felt they had the right to access data about themselves. Focus on and demonstrate high levels of data security.
• Be transparent from the start during implementation, as well as in day-to-day operation

For me, their clarity was encouraging. The public wants confidence that their data will be handled safely, and they want the benefits as soon as possible.

Their feedback reinforced the goals set out in the 10 Year Health Plan: enabling proactive, personalised care and giving patients full access to their health information through tools like the NHS App.

What the market told us

To make sure the Single Patient Record meets public expectations, we contacted over 3,000 suppliers and organisations through a Request for Information (RFI). Nearly 100 responded, sharing detailed insights on how we can make our vision a reality that meets the needs of the NHS.

Here are some of the key themes:

Interoperability and standards:

Clear and consistent data standards are essential so different NHS systems can share information easily, work with older systems already in place, and support new technology solutions.

We will also legislate to give patients access to their SPR by default. Subject to parliamentary time, our ambition is that from 2028, patients will be able to view it securely on the NHS App. Over time, that data will include not only medical records, but also a personalised account of health risk, drawing from lifestyle, demographic and genomic data – to help personalise the NHS’s service offer and to support individual behaviour change

Continued engagement with stakeholders:

Suppliers emphasised that development must stay rooted in user needs through effective engagement at every stage.

A modular approach:

Incremental changes are seen as more practical and less disruptive than a ‘big bang’ overhaul.

Data ownership and stewardship:

There needs to be clarity on where data is held and mastered, who can access it, and who is responsible for updates.

Data normalisation:

Making sure data is recorded in a consistent way across all systems is vital so information can be shared and understood wherever it’s used.

Work seamlessly with existing systems:

Systems need to work well together. It’s important that when information is updated in one place, it is automatically updated everywhere it’s needed. This avoids staff having to enter the same information more than once. Making this happen safely will need careful planning around technology, processes, and responsibilities.

Why this matters

What stood out to me is how similar the views of the public and the market are. They want a system that is secure, transparent, and built around what patients need. They also recognise that while we must move quickly, this will take thoughtful planning.

Looking ahead

We are committed to delivering an SPR that works for patients, clinicians, and the wider health and care system. If you’re thinking about what this means for your organisation, here are a few reflections:

• You can read more about our plans in the recently-published 10 Year Health Plan and on the SPR web pages – watch for upcoming opportunities to help shape this transformative initiative – your involvement will be crucial.
• Speak to your teams early to start to understand what a single patient record may mean for their workflows and patient interactions.

This is just the start. As outlined in the 10 Year Health Plan, SPR will eventually link with tools like wearable technology, AI scribes, and proactive care models to create a truly integrated, patient-centred NHS.

Thank you again to everyone supporting this programme. Together, we can create a system that truly puts patients at the heart of their care.