Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC)
Compliance Support for Manufacturers of Health IT Systems
Compliance Support for Manufacturers of Health IT Systems
The NHS Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) for health & social care is the framework and assessment methodology developed by the Transformation Directorate at NHS England to evaluate the risks and benefits that come with adopting any new technology.
DTAC exists to give all NHS stakeholders, practitioners, staff and patients confidence that the digital tools and technologies they’re using meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
This is what makes the DTAC assessment challenging for businesses to navigate alone. There’s no formal certification process, and no external, accredited body to assess your product and give you the stamp of approval. It’s down to the organisation buying your product to determine – and they are stretched.
We’ll complete some or all of your DTAC components and document all the evidence you’ll need in a secure portal you can easily share with clients and prospects.
Our goal is your success
We deliver all professional services associated with DTAC, we don’t just review and assess
We aren’t involved in rating healthcare applications for the NHS or building libraries – we exist to help organisations like yours get compliance right
We’re a team of highly qualified clinicians, information governance, standards and cyber security experts
DTAC is essential if you want to succeed as a health technology supplier in the UK, which means it’s never too early to start the process. We’ll walk with you every step of the way.
We’ll customise our DTAC support to match your needs, which could include:
Completing missing work packages on your behalf
Reviewing your progress towards DTAC compliance
Completing missing elements on your behalf
Supporting your team to complete missing elements
Configuring your personalised, shareable DTAC portal with links to all your evidence
Attending calls with clients or prospects to answer compliance related questions
When you work with us, you’ll get access to your personalised and fully populated DTAC portal, enabling you to:
Easily share evidence of your DTAC compliance and status with third parties such as NHS Trusts or Commissioners using a secure login
Demonstrate that elements of your DTAC have been delivered and assured by our team of experts
Give your NHS clients the confidence that you meet DTAC requirements; paving the way for a smooth procurement process
Work collaboratively with the 8fold team as your trusted partner for DTAC and compliance
Showcase your DTAC status on your website using our trusted 8fold name and assurance badge.
We provide full support in all elements of DTAC including:
We’ll make you DTAC compliant
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What is DTAC?
The NHS Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) has been developed by NHSX as a framework and assessment methodology for evaluating the potential risks and benefits associated with adopting new technology across health and social care services.
Why is DTAC important?
DTAC gives anyone using new technology, including staff, patients and citizens, the confidence that the digital health tools meet the highest standards for clinical safety, data protection, technical security, interoperability, usability and accessibility. In doing so, it also helps to identify gaps or areas where further research is needed.
Why does DTAC matter for manufacturers and suppliers of health IT systems?
DTAC is designed to improve the quality of digital health technology in the UK by creating a national benchmark for both developers and commissioners (buyers). It combines legislative, regulatory and policy requirements with an assessment methodology to enable NHS health and social care organisations to quickly and consistently assess the potential risks, impact and benefits of any new technology.
Ultimately, the DTAC outlines what is expected of suppliers at the procurement stage and as part of any due diligence process. It is likely to become compulsory for inclusion in national procurement frameworks that public sector organisations use to purchase technology and services. Where a supplier does not pass or meet all the requirements of the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria, the technology will be failed.
Is DTAC mandatory?
Although DTAC is not currently mandatory it is being rapidly adopted across the NHS and social care. The direction of travel suggests it will soon be a requirement for all new and renewing contracts procured via NHS frameworks.
What will be assessed?
Each product, regardless of whether it is patient-facing, designed for clinicians, or for use by other health and social care staff, needs to be assessed individually. The scope is very broad and has been based on the DCB0129 Clinical Safety Standard to ensure all Health IT Systems are covered. A ‘Health IT System’ is defined as any “product used to provide electronic information for health and social care purposes”.
Do the NHS and health and social care organisations accept and recognise our DTAC assurance?
Although there is no formal recognition by NHS England or any NHS and social care provider organisations of the assurance provided, we have been a trusted partner in the health and social care industry for many years, providing data protection services to integrated care systems and GP practices. Our team of clinical safety and information governance specialists regularly advise and support NHS Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and providers and as such we and the quality of our work have an excellent reputation across health and social care.
Let’s see how we can help you navigate DTAC or any other aspect of information governance, data protection or clinical safety.
Let’s see how we can help you navigate DTAC or any other aspect of information governance, data protection or clinical safety.
