Event round-up: One Architecture Roundtable with Sonia Patel
On 3 September, techUK convened a collaborative roundtable with Sonia Patel, NHS England’s Chief Technology Officer, and her team to explore the development of a digital blueprint for health and care. The session brought together suppliers from across the ecosystem to exchange views, share concerns, and contribute practical ideas on how the vision for a more coherent and connected architecture can be realised in practice.
Please access the presentation slides here
Sonia Patel’s presentation framed the discussion by setting out three major shifts that underpin the One Digital Blueprint.
- First, a move toward person-centred architecture, designing systems around people and care pathways rather than organisations.
- Second, the development of digital public infrastructure, positioning national platforms, interoperability, and data services as the equivalent of “roads and rail” for the NHS.
- Third, the creation of one digital operating model, clarifying national and local responsibilities while strengthening spend controls, digital workforce capacity, and supplier accountability.
These shifts were presented as essential for meeting the ambitions of the 10-Year Plan, building resilience, and unlocking innovation.
Industry feedback and discussion
Discussion 1
In the first discussion, participants reflected on how best to communicate this vision across the system. There was consensus that NHS documentation is often too long and overly technical, making it difficult to engage either staff or suppliers. Attendees urged a more concise and visual communication style, highlighting key concepts and directly linking them to patient and staff outcomes. The need to build supplier concerns into the messaging was also emphasised, alongside reassurance on issues such as cybersecurity, resilience, and data ownership. Participants called for clearer and more realistic timelines to help with planning, as well as greater clarity on infrastructure requirements, international standards, and the balance between centralised platforms and local innovation. Underpinning these points was a recognition that digital skills and trust remain uneven, and that technology must be both usable and relevant if it is to deliver meaningful change.
Discussion 2
The second discussion focused on the balance of responsibilities between national and local levels. While the principle of “nationally provided, nationally supported, locally led” was broadly welcomed, there were concerns about slow uptake and variable capacity when too much responsibility is devolved. Participants stressed the importance of practical support through enablement teams and “tiger teams” that can identify local needs and build capability. The market dynamics were also highlighted, with a small number of large suppliers dominating alongside thousands of SMEs, and challenges in managing supplier relationships, particularly with EPR providers. Industry participants argued that NHS England must be more intentional in shaping this market, ensuring fair competition, setting strong expectations for standards and data quality, and supporting innovation from smaller providers. Procurement practices were seen as repetitive, fragmented, and under-resourced, with a need for more maturity, consistency, and post-award contract management to ensure value is delivered.
Discussion 3
The third discussion turned to the question of co-designing the digital blueprint. Participants supported the principle but cautioned against processes that become diluted when too many stakeholders are involved. They suggested convening small groups of senior, knowledgeable representatives to define clear guidelines, tackle legacy system challenges, and publish roadmaps. There was a strong call for greater urgency, agility, and pace, drawing on lessons from the collective response during the pandemic. Rationalising procurement frameworks, reducing fragmentation, and setting clear incentives were identified as essential steps to unlock investment and innovation. Finally, participants encouraged NHS England to engage more directly with suppliers and patients in shaping product development, while ensuring that the Single Patient Record does not become a narrow exercise in data collection but instead supports broader improvements in care pathways.
Conclusion
The roundtable reinforced the value of collaboration between the NHS and industry. While there is clear support for the direction of travel, industry feedback highlights the need for clearer communication, practical support for local delivery, more mature procurement, and a truly co-designed blueprint that can deliver better outcomes for patients, staff, and suppliers alike.
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techUK is helping its members navigate the complex space of digital health in the UK to ensure our NHS and social care sector is prepared for the challenges of the future. We help validate new ideas and build impactful strategies, ultimately ensuring that members are market-ready. Visit the programme page here.
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