Digital Skills Development Network (DDaT) Workforce Census 2026 – update

Christine Banks, National Skills Development Lead for Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) provides an update on the DDaT Workforce Census 2026 return.

Thank you to all organisations that have already submitted their DDaT Workforce Census 2026 return.

We recognise the significant pressures currently being faced by teams across the NHS, and we know that some organisations are still finalising their data.

The DDaT Workforce Census remains a vital source of workforce intelligence, helping us better understand the size, shape, capability and future needs of the NHS Digital, Data and Technology workforce. The insights generated support workforce planning at local, regional and national levels and help inform conversations with senior leaders, ministers, and policy teams.

For further information on the importance of the census and how the data is being used, please refer to Dr Shana Vijayan's full letter posted on LinkedIn.

If your organisation has not yet submitted its return, please contact your regional Skills Development Network Manager for DDaT for support and guidance:

Regional Skills Development Network Manager list:

• South West: Ryan Cronin | [email protected]
• Midlands: Nicci Smith | [email protected]
• North West: Donna Hanson | [email protected]
• Yorkshire & Humber: Caroline Booth | [email protected]
• North East & North Cumbria: Shirley Sunderland | [email protected]
• South East: Lois Cavallaro | [email protected]
• East of England: Nadine Hutton | [email protected]
• London: Elisa Paolacci | [email protected]

Thank you once again for your continued support in helping to build the most comprehensive picture of the NHS DDaT workforce.

The completion summary is outlined below:

• North East
  • Complete: 7
  • Not complete: 8
  • 47%
• North West
  • Complete: 33
  • Not complete: 7
  • 83%
• Yorkshire and Humber
  • Complete: 23
  • Not complete: 4
  • 85%
• Midands
  • Complete: 24
  • Not complete: 30
  • 44%
• East of England
  • Complete: 6
  • Not complete: 25
  • 19%
• London
  • Complete: 16
  • Not complete: 22
  • 42%
• South East
  • Complete: 22
  • Not complete: 17
  • 56%
• South West
  • Complete: 15
  • Not complete: 15
  • 50%

Also, a reminder that anybody with an NHS email account is able to access the 2024/25 census dashboard, just email [email protected] to request access.