Welcome to NHS Midlands and Lancashire’s (ML) Digital Clinical Safety (DCS) page.

The ML DCS Team supports health and care providers in ensuring their health IT systems comply with NHS standards.

A health IT system includes hardware, software, or a combination of both, and is used to provide electronic information for health or social care purposes. Any Health IT system that supports, manages, or influences real-time or near-real-time direct patient care must comply with the Data Coordination Board (DCB) Clinical risk management standards set by NHS England (NHSE).

While health IT systems offer significant benefits to patients and providers, issues such as system failures, design flaws, or improper use can lead to harm. These risks arise from the design, implementation, and use of technology within health and care settings. Compliance with DCB standards is crucial to ensuring patient safety in a digital healthcare environment.

What Are the DCB Standards?

NHS organisations must comply with the following clinical risk management standards:

• DCB 0129: Clinical Risk Management in the Manufacture of Health IT Systems – applicable to manufacturers and developers, including app creators.
• DCB 0160: Clinical Risk Management in the Deployment and Use of Health IT Systems – applicable to organisations that deploy or use health IT systems and apps.

These standards are a part of the NHS England Digital Clinical Safety Strategy.

How the DCS Team Can Help

The DCS Team at ML can help ensure your health IT systems meet the required standards through:

• Expertise in DCB standards, which are in demand but in short supply within the NHS and other health organisations.
• Providing digital clinical safety advice based on the latest standards and best practices.
• Partnering with your services to ensure patient safety in your digital products.
• Supporting compliance with the mandatory DCB 0129 and DCB 0160 clinical risk management standards.
• Collaborating with NHS England and other diverse providers.

We are a part of the NHS and backed by experts in various fields.​

The ML Digital Clinical Safety Team will support you in achieving compliance with digital clinical risk management standards.​ We offer a comprehensive support package that can be tailored to your specific circumstances and existing clinical safety resources.

To learn more or arrange a consultation with the DCS Team, email us at mlcsu.digitalclinicalsafety@nhs.net and see how we can support your organisation in ensuring compliance with NHS standards.