Clinical safety is a mandatory part of implementing any digital system in the NHS. This will become increasingly important with an increase adoption of digital tools. All healthcare organisations must comply with national standards—DCB0129 for suppliers and DCB0160 for NHS organisations adopting technology. These standards are designed to protect patients by identifying and mitigating risks associated with digital clinical systems.
To meet these standards, each organisation must appoint a Clinical Safety Officer (CSO). The CSO must be a registered clinician (e.g. GMC, NMC) and must complete certified clinical safety training. This training equips CSOs to oversee safety governance, conduct clinical risk assessments, and document safety cases to ensure systems are implemented and maintained safely. Training is provided through NHS England’s Digital Clinical Safety Programme, which includes both e-learning and practical workshops. You can find out more by clicking on the link Digital Clinical Safety training - NHS England Digital'