Changes to the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) to reflect findings from industry engagement have seen reductions to the number of questions asked of suppliers, clearer guidance on how to complete assessments, and closer alignment with NICE to focus on software-based digital health technologies.
The new form will replace the previous DTAC assessment from 6 April 2026, with suppliers advised to no longer use the former version from this date.
The requirement for the clinical safety officer named in the clinical safety section of the assessment to undertake training provided by NHS Digital no longer stands. Elements overlapping with the Medical Device Regulations (MDR) have also been removed.
For suppliers, there are 25 percent less questions to answer in the refreshed DTAC form, with questions that may have previously duplicated processes like the Data Security and Protection Toolkit now removed. Guidance has been made clearer on DTAC’s purpose and scope, as well as how to complete assessments, and NHSE confirms closer alignment with NICE to focus on software-based digital health technologies.
In a LinkedIn post, NHS Transformation Directorate states: “The updated DTAC creates a simpler, more trusted pathway for safe digital innovation to reach the NHS.”
NHSE shares that further changes are to be expected as reviews into standards such as DCB0129 and DCB0160 continue. “There are also commitments to set standards for technology used in social care, updates to medical device rules and work to further simplify our approach to standards,” it goes on. “We will update DTAC further to take account of changes when they happen.”
Wider trend: Innovation in health and care
At the Institute for Government’s annual conference, Wes Streeting delivered a keynote speech on NHS reform, noting “modernisation can’t be dodged any longer”, setting out an approach to modernisation focused on empowering people, offering freedom to the frontline, shifting to prevention, using tech to support productivity, and spending taxpayers’ money with care. Turning first to empowering patients, Streeting said: “If public services are designed around the convenience of the institution, the result is silos, hand-outs, delays and poor performance. When those services don’t coordinate, the public pays twice: in money and in misery. If public services are designed around the citizen, the result should be joined up support, better impact and better value for money.”
£20 million in government funding is being made available in the form of grants for innovators tackling drug and alcohol addiction, looking to develop digital tools such as wearables, apps, and VR as part of the Addiction Healthcare Goals programme. The grants are being made available through Innovate UK, for innovations and technologies focusing on improving treatment, aiding recovery, and reducing harms associated with addiction.
InnoScot Health has issued a call for early-stage innovators including healthcare entrepreneurs in their final year of training or first year of practice, SMEs, and student entrepreneurs, with support in place to develop ideas toward commercialisation. Ideas or innovations are sought across a number of areas, including those improving patient care quality, safety, or outcomes; those increasing efficiency or affordability; those supporting workforce wellbeing; and those enabling data-driven and remote care transformation.
