December 5th 2025
Digital Care Hub welcomes the Government’s refreshed focus on making health and care data available to authorised roles and the clarification that in order to be considered ‘fully digitised’, a care provider must reach at least Standards Met on the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT).
Speaking about the Department of Health and Social Care announcement, Michelle Corrigan, Chief Executive of Digital Care Hub said:
“We know how hard care providers have worked to increase their use of digital records – and to do it safely. The figures announced by the Department reflect our experience where we have seen a rapid growth in use of the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) – the official self-assessment tool on data protection and cyber security – from just 15% in 2021 to 76% in 2025.
“We are particularly pleased to see the explicit reference to linking digital social care records, which meet data standards, with the Single Patient Record – that is the vision we are all working towards.“We also welcome the clarification of what a ‘fully digitised care provider’ is: ‘a CQC registered care provider that is using an assured Digital Social Care Record solution AND meeting the Standards Met level on the Data Security and Protection Toolkit’.
“Digital Care Hub will continue to support all care providers as they navigate their digital journey safely. This is enabled by our successful bid for £21m of funding to 2029 – and the dedication and positivity of care staff, managers and owners.”
The Department has announced that:
“The Single Patient Record, which is being designed to national security standards, puts patients’ data and information in one place, securely recording their medical history and needs that can be viewed by the appropriate health or care professionals across the system.
“They also allow care plans – which set out people’s care needs and required medications – to be completed and signed off in three days instead of seven, and for them to be reviewed in half an hour instead of four hours.”
Digital Care Hub was a key partner of the Digitising Social Care Programme, and continues to deliver Better Security, Better Care – the free support programme on data and cyber security for adult social care. Previously known as Digital Social Care, the organisation was also responsible for initial research and consultation on the core capabilities for the ‘assured solutions list’ of digital record suppliers.
Related links
Department of Health and Social Care press release
Caring Times: interview with Stephen Kinnock MP
Digitising Social Care – Fully digitised care provider
About Digital Care Hub
The Digital Care Hub provides free information, guidance and support to enable adult social care providers to make the most of digital technology – and to do it safely.
We are an independent, not-for profit organisation, guided by care providers, so we understand the needs and challenges facing the diverse range of organisations in our sector.
We work closely with care providers, technology suppliers, organisations representing people who draw on services and carers, commissioners and regulators.
We work with NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to inform and influence policy, guidance, and implementation plans.
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