NHS history topic
Digital NHS and Information Timeline
The development of NHS information systems, digital strategy, patient-facing technology and modern plans for connected health records and services.
8 records1998–2026
Topic overview
About this timeline
The development of NHS information systems, digital strategy, patient-facing technology and modern plans for connected health records and services.
Chronological records
Digital NHS and Information records
| Date | Person | Event | Place | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Frank Dobson Secretary of State · Secretary of State for Health | Information for Health Strategy | London, Great Britain | The Information for Health strategy sets ambitions for electronic records, networked clinical information and improved digital access to evidence across the NHS. |
| July 2002 | Alan Milburn Secretary of State · Secretary of State for Health | Twenty-First Century NHS IT Strategy | London, Great Britain | A national information-technology strategy proposes integrated electronic systems, digital referrals, electronic prescriptions and shared patient information across the NHS. |
| 2005 | Patricia Hewitt Secretary of State · Secretary of State for Health | NHS Connecting for Health | England, Great Britain | NHS Connecting for Health takes forward national digital infrastructure, including electronic referrals, prescribing, imaging systems and components of the NHS Care Records Service. |
| 21 October 2024 | Wes Streeting Secretary of State · Secretary of State for Health and Social Care | Change NHS National Conversation | London, Great Britain | The government launches Change NHS, inviting patients, staff and organisations to contribute ideas and priorities for the development of a new ten-year health plan. |
| 6 January 2025 | Wes Streeting Secretary of State · Secretary of State for Health and Social Care | Elective Reform Plan | London, Great Britain | The government publishes an elective reform plan proposing expanded patient choice, greater use of the NHS App and measures intended to restore shorter waits for planned treatment. |
| 25 June 2025 | Wes Streeting Secretary of State · Secretary of State for Health and Social Care | NHS App Overhaul | London, Great Britain | The government announces a major NHS App expansion intended to give patients more information, provider choice, appointment tools and access to healthcare results and services. |
| 3 July 2025 | Keir Starmer Prime Minister · Prime Minister of Great Britain | Ten Year Health Plan | London, Great Britain | The government publishes its Ten Year Health Plan for England, organised around shifting care toward communities, digital services and prevention. |
| 14 May 2026 | Wes Streeting Secretary of State · Secretary of State for Health and Social Care | Health Bill Introduced | House of Commons, Great Britain | The Health Bill is introduced to Parliament with measures for a single patient record, abolition of NHS England and changes to local commissioning and system oversight. |
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