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”.
Source: Digital Health News, 1 September 2025
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