Professional Membership for the NHS Digital, Data and Technology Workforce

Recognising and supporting digital, data and technology professionals in the NHS.

Overview

To achieve the goals outlined in the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and support the NHS’s shift from analogue to digital, digital, data, and technology (DDaT) specialists are essential for ensuring safe and effective patient care. As the health service increasingly depends on digital solutions—such as electronic records and AI-powered tools—it is vital that our DDaT workforce receives recognition, support, and adheres to consistent professional and ethical standards.

To support this, NHS England is introducing a progressive commitment to professional membership and registration for DDaT staff. This approach brings DDaT in line with other established NHS professions and supports high-quality, safe delivery of digital services that underpin patient care.

How this supports the NHS 10 Year Plan

A strong, trusted digital workforce is essential to delivering the government’s 10 Year Health Plan. With the shift from analogue to digital care will increasingly rely on digital tools, data and technology, we need skilled professionals who can design, run and improve these services safely and consistently.

This shift means that skilled professionals are crucial for designing, operating, and continuously improving these digital services to ensure safe and reliable care. By moving away from traditional analogue methods, we must raise standards across the workforce to prevent digital failures, which can have immediate impacts on patient outcomes.

Professional membership and registration helps the NHS build the capabilities needed for a modern, digital first health service. It supports staff to keep their skills up to date, work to clear ethical and technical standards, and confidently deliver technologies such as integrated records, automation and AI enabled tools - all central to the 10 Year Plan’s vision for better, more efficient care.

By investing in recognised professional development and national standards, the NHS is strengthening the workforce that underpins digital transformation - supporting safer services, better patient experiences and a more efficient, sustainable health system.

Why professional membership and registration matters

• DDaT professionals are essential for fulfilling the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and advancing the NHS from analogue to digital
• Reinforces professional and ethical standards across the digital workforce
• Improves safety, reliability and public trust in digital systems that support patient care
• Supports continuous professional development
• Builds consistency across the NHS DDaT profession
• Enhances access to learning, networking and accreditation pathways

Affordability and support

• Reduced rates (up to 50%) for Band 7 and below, representing over 80% of the workforce, capped at:
  • £50 for professional body membership plus
  • £36 for Federation of Informatics Professionals (FEDIP)  professional registration
• Tax relief options to further reduce cost
• Access to student, affiliate or discounted membership routes
• Increased engagement from FEDIP and partner bodies to support NHS communities

Timeline

Band	Expectation	Timeline
8d+ and senior DDaT leaders in NHS organisations*	Member + working towards chartered/registered/fellow	By March 2027
8b-8c	Member	By March 2028
8a	Member	By March 2029
6-7	Member	By March 2030
5	Student or affiliate	By March 2031

Benefits of membership

• Professional recognition and public register verification
• CPD tracking and support
• Access to national communities across multiple professional bodies
• Discounted training, development and conferences
• Enhanced career progression and accreditation opportunities
• Parity with other registered NHS professions

Professional bodies involved

The programme is delivered in partnership with The Federation for Informatics Professionals (for professional registration) and its member bodies (for professional membership), including:

• Association of Professional Healthcare Analysts (AphA)
• British Computer Society: The Chartered Institute for IT
• CHIME International
• CILIP: The library and information association*
• Institute of Health Records, Information Management (IHRIM)

*Note: CILIP is not offering discounts to their membership fees.

Professionals will normally establish professional membership first followed by registration with FEDIP through the professional body membership page links.

Contact us

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