NHS Digital Services for Integrated Care (NHS DSIC)

DSIC is a national NHS framework that helps IT suppliers build and improve systems used across health and care. It sets out clear standards for digital safety, security, and interoperability—making sure systems can talk to each other and work reliably.

For pharmacy, DSIC helps ensure that the systems you use for prescriptions, services, and patient care are:

• Safe and secure
• Connected to the wider NHS
• Built to support your daily work
• Ready for future NHS services

Community Pharmacy England and the Community Pharmacy IT Group (CP ITG) are working with NHS England to make sure pharmacy systems are part of DSIC. This means:

• Pharmacy IT suppliers can align with NHS priorities and standards.
• New and existing systems can be developed in a coordinated way.
• Pharmacy teams benefit from systems that are easier to use, more resilient, and better connected.

Current pharmacy-related DSIC workstreams include:

• NHS Booking and Referral Standard (BaRS) – for seamless referrals and appointments.
• GP Connect – for viewing and updating patient records.
• NHSBSA Manage Your Service (MYS) APIs – for submitting claims and service data.
• NHS Care Identity Service 2 (CIS2) – for secure login without Smartcards.

Community Pharmacy England and CP ITG are also calling for more pharmacy digital projects to be included in DSIC in the coming years.

Pharmacy teams and owners often ask for systems that:

• Reduce workload and paperwork
• Support NHS services like vaccinations and consultations
• Connect with GP and hospital records
• Help patients access care and information digitally

DSIC helps suppliers deliver these features by providing a clear framework and support. CP ITG has published a list of suggested system features that align with DSIC and NHS priorities. These include:

• Interoperability – e.g. GP Connect, Shared Care Records, NHS App integration
• Security and resilience – e.g. backup systems, downtime alerts, data protection
• Usability – e.g. intuitive interfaces, mobile access, training support
• Patient tools – e.g. appointment booking, reminders, access to health records

You can read more about these features and your assessment of solutions: Making your system work for you.

It is still important to assess the IT systems which you use and consider digital clinical safety factors.

Community Pharmacy England will continue working with NHS England, DHSC, and suppliers to:

• Expand pharmacy IT workstreams within DSIC
• Promote supplier alignment with NHS standards
• Support pharmacy teams to get the most from their systems

• • NHS Digital Services for Integrated Care
  • Making your system work for you
  • Next steps for pharmacy IT – abridged slides
  • Next steps for pharmacy IT – full slides