Data accuracy and reliability

DMA is a non-mandatory collection. However, it has been recommended that providers participate in this collection. 

The 2025 assessment received 100% of the over 320 in-scope organisations invited to complete the DMA. A response was only recorded if all mandatory questions had been completed.

Final submission of data cannot be completed until all required responses have been entered, and the return must be submitted by the Chief Information Officer (or nominated deputy) on behalf of the organisation. 

Once committed, no further changes to submitted data can be made without the agreement of NHS England (who are the only organisation able to 'un-commit' submitted data). 

The data is validated through a series of internal and external respondent exercises. Once the data is submitted as part of the optional peer review process, respondents are matched with a peer organisation of similar size and structure to compare and review each other’s submission against set criteria. 

After the peer review process, submissions are reviewed at system and region-level to identify anomalies and outliers, which are verified with respondent organisations. 

The final data set is checked and cleansed internally before being released to respondents.