Digital transformation in the NHS is no longer just an ambition – it is an operational priority supported by large amounts of national investment.
Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, which was published in July 2025, followed on from the NHS Long Term Plan released in 2019. Both of which identified digital transformation as key priorities.
Now, the UK government and NHS England are accelerating the implementation of digital health technology, platforms and software, which signals a clear and growing pipeline of opportunity when it comes to tenders.
Why does the NHS want to ‘be more digital’?
The NHS Long Term Plan set out a ten-year vision for transforming healthcare delivery, underpinned by a commitment to increasing funding and using digital technology to redesign services and improve patient outcomes.
This was reinforced by national policy, with the Department of Health and Social Care identifying digital transformation as a top priority for both government and NHS England in its policy paper entitled A Plan For Digital Health And Social Care in 2022.
Alongside this, further government plans for health and care continue to emphasise a shift from analogue to digital services, with a focus on modernising systems, improving efficiency, and enabling more personalised care.
NHS England has also set out ambitions to strengthen the digital foundations of the health system ‘ensuring that patients and staff benefit from technologies that improve care and increase efficiency’.
How will the NHS become more digital?
At a regional level, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) now play a central role in delivering these ambitions, with responsibility for more joined-up, digitally enabled services across local populations. This will see one ICSs rely on external suppliers to support delivery.
One of the ICS’s key focuses will be on improving how patients access care, which is expected to include the expansion of digital platforms and online services.
How can digital suppliers help the NHS to switch to their digital solutions?
1. Data – The ability to share and use data effectively across organisations remains a core challenge for the NHS. Enabling connected systems and better use of information is fundamental to delivering integrated care and will be a key consideration for tender commissioners.
2. Ability to scale and cope with demand – As reliance on NHS digital services increases, so too does the need for robust, scalable infrastructure that can cope with a high volume of users.
3. System efficiency and demand management – Technologies that support prevention, streamline pathways and reduce pressure on frontline services are a key priority across both national and regional programmes.
4. Cyber security – The NHS can’t afford to deal with a data breach. Providers will need to demonstrate how they can prevent this from happening.
Despite the scale of the opportunities that digital transformation brings, NHS procurement remains complex, with many contracts falling under the Procurement Act, which came into force last year.
Suppliers must navigate a range of routes to market, including frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems, while also:
- Demonstrating value for money
- Delivering measurable outcomes
- Aligning with system-wide priorities
- Contributing to social value and sustainability objectives
Successful suppliers will be those who can clearly articulate how their offer supports the specific challenges faced by the NHS and improves patient access and experience, rather than showcasing how great their digital solution is.
If you would like support with digital NHS or health tech tenders, talk to a member of our team by calling 0330 133 8823 or emailing info@klowconsulting.com.