May 26th 2026
On 19 May, the Department of Health and Social Care released fact sheets about the Health Bill and the single patient record. With the Bill due to receive its second reading next week, we summarise the key points and implications for social care data.
The Health Bill proposes powers to establish a national Single Patient Record for direct care purposes. The legislation explicitly references social care providers as potential users of the system, signalling a stronger expectation that health and social care information will increasingly be shared across organisational boundaries.
What is a single patient record?
A single patient record (SPR) is a digital record that brings together a person’s health and care information in one secure place.
What’s the timeline?
The single patient record will be introduced gradually over several years rather than as a single national rollout.
- May 2026: The NHS modernisation bill (Health Bill) sets out the SPR as a core reform
- From 2027: Initial rollout is expected in specific areas (maternity and frailty services)
- By 2028: Patients to start accessing their unified records through the NHS App
- Beyond 2028: broader expansion
Top 5 facts about the single patient record as part of the Heath Bill
- Safer, more joined-up data, and care
The intention is that the SPR will improve patient safety and experience, enabling more coordinated and proactive care across services.
- Data sharing will become a requirement
A consistent, national approach to data sharing means that care organisations will be expected to share information and data safely and in line with legislation and guidance.
- It will use current systems, rather than starting fresh
Rather than creating a single central database from scratch, the SPR will connect and scale existing systems like shared care records.
- Patient control and safeguards are central
The model includes clear safeguards, audit trails and role-based access, with patients having more visibility and control over their data.
- It is part of wider NHS reform
The Bill also includes major organisational changes, notably the transferring the responsibility of NHS England to the Department of Health and Social Care.
In summary
The single patient record represents a significant step in the NHS’s digital transformation, moving from fragmented systems to a more connected, patient-centred approach.
Though there will be significant challenge to deliver this scale across a complex health and care system, the benefits could be very significant for care providers, and patients.
Links
Health Bill: single patient record – fact sheet.
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