February 18th 2026
As part of our Digital Care in Focus series, we explore the policies that are impacting on interoperability of data systems across health and care.
Taking stock: digital records are necessary but not sufficient
Many providers now use digital social care records (DSCRs), and that’s a real advance. A digital record helps with day-to-day care planning, risk management and internal communication.
But having a digital record doesn’t by itself mean your information flows across organisations. Most shared care records currently connect NHS organisations such as hospitals, community services and general practice. In some areas, local authority social care systems are also included. But most systems are not interoperable with independent adult social care providers and progress varies significantly across the country.
National ambition meets practical challenges
The government’s Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England places digital connectivity at the centre of reform. NHS England has taken that further with the idea of a Single Patient Record — a unified view of health and care information that, subject to parliamentary time, could be accessible through the NHS App from 2028.
But the path from ambition to practice is not simple, especially when participation is spread across independent and statutory organisations with different systems, cultures and priorities.
Assured systems and real-world connectivity
The national Assured Solutions List for digital social care records is a valuable tool. It helps providers choose systems that meet expectations around security and standards, and it signals readiness for future interoperability.
But selecting an assured solution should be the beginning of a conversation, not the end of one.
Ask your supplier:
- How does the system connect to local shared care records?
- Is it view-only or is there structured data exchange?
- What information is shared, and how?
- What is the roadmap for future development?
Different areas will be in different places with these capabilities, but providers need clear answers before committing to a solution.
Alongside shared care records, NHS England is also developing a Social Care Interoperability Platform to support more consistent connection routes between DSCR systems and wider health and care records. This platform has potential, but it remains an emerging part of the ecosystem rather than a universal fix.
Technology is only one piece of the puzzle
Making systems talk to each other is technically challenging, of course. Data needs to be structured in standard ways. Records need accurate identity matching. Interfaces must be secure, resilient and responsive.
National infrastructure such as Spine underpins much of this, but integration still requires thoughtful local design and testing.
Interoperability is also a cultural shift. When information may be visible across organisations, professionals need confidence that what they record will be understood in context. People drawing on care need reassurance that their information is being used appropriately and with respect.
This makes role-based access critical. Not everyone should see everything; access must be limited to what is necessary for direct care, with robust audit trails and governance.
Consent and communication
While shared care record programmes often operate on the basis of implied consent for direct care, transparency and communication are vital. People should understand what information may be shared, with whom, and for what purpose. A clear explanation builds trust and supports informed choice.
Providers have an important role in explaining this in ways that feel meaningful, not procedural.
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025: strengthening standards
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 strengthens the legal framework for mandating information standards across health and adult social care IT systems and services.
Implementation is still developing, but the Act provides clearer powers to require compliance with national standards and to extend expectations to IT systems themselves, not just organisations.
Over time, this is likely to reinforce alignment with standards such as the Digital Social Care Record: Minimum Operational Data Standard (MODS), shape procurement conversations and encourage suppliers to build interoperability into their roadmaps.
Interoperability in action: the London Care Record
A good example of where this is progressing in practice is the London Care Record. This system brings together information from health and care partners across London to support coordinated care.
In London, multiple NHS trusts, boroughs, community services and social care providers contribute data into a shared view. The aim is not simply to display information, but to help professionals make better decisions by seeing the right parts of someone’s record at the right time.
Introduced in 2020, the London Care Record has been used over 90 million times by health and care staff – with over two and a half million views each month by over 100,000 different health and care staff.
What the London Care Record shows is that regional collaboration can build workable interoperability.
Further information
Book our webinar: Interoperability in social care: from national policy to better care – 24 February 2026, 1.00 pm
Speakers include Tommy Henderson-Reay from Digitising Social Care and Dan Heller, London Shared Care Records Team
Read our Interoperability policy briefing
Part of our Digital Care in Focus series on interoperability.
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