Standards, Interoperability and Data Management community of practice: What we do
We build capability, influence policy and collaborate across the health and care sector to promote effective standards, interoperability and data management in real-world digital systems.
Education and capability building
We organise webinars, workshops and events to:
- Increase awareness of health and care standards, interoperability and data management
- Improve understanding of how these domains interrelate
- Support practical implementation in real-world systems
- Strengthen professional confidence across these domains
Recordings and materials from our events are made available to create a lasting resource for members and future learners.
Recordings and materials from our events are made available to create a lasting resource for members and future learners.
Influencing and consultation
We contribute to national discussions on standards, interoperability and data management. This includes responses to consultations from central bodies.
Our contributions are grounded in professional experience, including system architecture, data management, clinical safety, information security and operational delivery.
We seek to promote:
- Clearer standards strategies (open standards)
- Realistic implementation sequencing
- Alignment between policy ambition and technical capability
- Managing the risks associated with vendor lock-in
- Transparency and accountability in digital governance
We have submitted detailed responses to consultations undertaken by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England on standards. The responses are available from the Faculty’s Reports and resources page.
- Information standards for health and adult social care in England – April 2024
- Review of How standards will support interoperability - November 2022
Collaboration
We collaborate constructively with organisations involved in standards development and assurance, including:
- The Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB)
- HL7 UK and the UK FHIR Board
- The Collaborative for Health and Social Care Information Standards (CHASCIS)
- INTEROPen
- BCS groups relevant to health informatics
We are strengthening our relationships with the Royal Colleges and related bodies for health and care professionals.
We complement, rather than duplicate, the work of Standards Development Organisations by providing a professional practice perspective from those implementing standards in live environments.
Why this matters
Digital transformation in health and care depends not only on new systems, but on coherent information foundations.
Without shared semantics, disciplined data management, and professionally governed interoperability, digital initiatives risk fragmentation, inefficiency and loss of public trust.
By strengthening professional capability in standards and interoperability, we aim to support safer systems, better integration, and improved experiences for patients and professionals alike.
