Part of Digital pathways tools guidance 2026/27
Action for regions/integrated care boards
Integrated care boards (ICBs) need to ensure digital tools are available to practices that support the modern general practice model (MGP) throughout 2026/27.
The national team are working to establish a registry of suppliers that meet the updated capabilities and standards for Digital Pathway tools (OC, Messaging & Booking). The suppliers will self certificate against the required capabilities. Additional clinical assurance will be performed by NHS England. The national team are working to establish the Registry early in 2026/27. Once established this guidance will be updated to reflect buying from the registry. Until then, ICBs should continue to follow this guidance and engage the NHSE national commercial and procurement hub.
The approach for 2026/27 is to continue to follow the process established in 2025/26 until the registry of suppliers is live. This continues to align the selection and buying of products with the existing capabilities that support the MGP. These are detailed in annex A. These capabilities will cover digital pathways tools. The expanded scope includes demand and capacity management tools. This aligns with the existing process and requirements of the GP IT operating model. It ensures that ICBs can use products with a richer functionality set to deliver the MGP locally.
ICBs must engage with the NHS England national commercial and procurement hub to ensure that only products meeting the required capabilities (see annex A) are in place and/or purchased. The contracts agreed must be able to transfer to new frameworks once available. The hub can support ICBs in signposting to appropriate routes to market that are fit for purpose and are in line with the Procurement Act 2023.
Regions will provide support to ICBs to ensure practices have the tools they need to support the MGP. They can also enable participation in general practice improvement programme offers.
NHS England national commercial and procurement hub will continue to provide enhanced advice and support. They will review local digital strategies and ensure products selected by ICBs meet the required capabilities. Please continue to engage with the hub at [email protected].
Last edited: 5 March 2026 3:45 pm