Guidance for designing, delivering and sustaining RPA within the NHS

This guidance will present good practice on planning, delivering and sustaining RPA solutions and will highlight the key considerations including where RPA cannot be used.

Automation, specifically Robotic Process Automation (RPA), as a transformation enabler can accelerate the adoption of digital technologies within health and care. We have developed a national 'how to guide' to support effective and safe adoption of RPA.

This guidance will present good practice on planning, delivering and sustaining RPA solutions and will highlight the key considerations including where RPA cannot be used.

Find out more in our introduction.

Understanding RPA

Discover what RPA is, its benefits and limitations, and how to identify and prioritise opportunities.

Getting started with RPA

Learn about the key considerations before starting your RPA journey, how to leverage current good practices and how to build a benefit case to transit from a programme to a service.

Delivering RPA

This chapter discusses the importance of designing and delivering RPA solutions by following 4 stages to ensure an effective end-to-end lifecycle from programme to a 'business as usual' service.

Sustaining RPA - automation sustaining pillars

We highlight how to successfully and safely sustain RPA adoption by embedding the 4 pillars into your RPA programme.

Technology for RPA

Understand the technical and compliance requirements for choosing the right tools. This chapter will describe the key attributes to consider for any RPA implementation.

Checklist - standards and guidelines

A summary of standards that must be complied with before going live with RPA solutions.

Additional information

This chapter provides additional information on the guidance content gathering approach, RPA global trends, the NHS's vision for RPA and RPA in NHS today.

Last edited: 27 May 2026 8:05 am