Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what risk assessment they undertook in respect of the decision to cease NHS England funding of the Professional Record Standards Body; and how they will now seek independent professional assurance of standards for clinical data to enable safe and effective clinical care across organisational boundaries.

NHS England undertook a structured assessment of the services delivered under the Core Information Standards Service contract prior to its conclusion at the end of December 2025. This assessment reviewed each element of the contract, including standards development support, maintenance, publication, and clinical engagement functions, and mapped them against NHS England’s future operating model and statutory responsibilities.

The assessment, carried out jointly with the Professional Record Standards Body, confirmed that there would be no loss of continuity. Existing standards are Crown-owned and remain available to the system. Arrangements are in place to retain all standards assets within NHS England infrastructure, and any necessary statutory, regulatory, or patient safety-related updates can continue to be managed. Functions previously delivered through the contract are being incorporated into NHS England’s strengthened data architecture, governance, and assurance processes.

Clinical and professional input will continue through established NHS England governance structures and engagement with royal colleges, specialist societies, and patient groups.