NHS Digital Transformation of Screening

Government Transformation and Service Delivery

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £94.5m
Published schedule: 01/04/2022 – 30/03/2033
NISTA delivery confidence: Not disclosed
Senior responsible owner: Michelle Kane

What the project is for

NHS England is transforming the digital services that support the national screening programmes. This work replaces paper-based processes and outdated technology with modern digital services designed to be secure, reliable and easier to use. The new services help people better understand and manage their screening information, including their history and appointments, and support staff by automating manual processes, improving how screening services are managed and delivered. This transformation programme has designed and delivered shared digital services for screening programmes, alongside support for people who may need help accessing digital services and wider service improvements. The work also implements key recommendations from the 2019 independent review of screening led by Professor Sir Mike Richards. This phase of the programme closes at the end of March 2026.

Departmental delivery commentary

The programme’s Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating remains Amber, reflecting the challenges associated with the scale and complexity of the transformation, while confirming that its objectives remain achievable. Since HM Treasury approval of the Programme Business Case in July 2023, the programme has made significant progress in modernising national screening services. Key milestones met include the introduction of digital communications for cervical and bowel screening programmes, and progress towards digital breast screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing. IPA/NISTA gateway reviews in 2025 and 2026 confirmed that delivery remains feasible. The programme is within budget and continues to progress toward its goals of improving screening safety and participation, modernising technology, and delivering more efficient, innovative services.

Schedule

A Programme Business Case (PBC) Addendum extended spend approval to March 2026, to allow time for the full PBC refresh following the 2025 Spending Review. Delivery has progressed well, with new digital services for cervical, and bowel screening deployed, and services such as Manage Breast Screening. The programme is now transitioning to be part of the wider Transforming Patient, Public and Staff-facing Services programme from April 2026, which will retain existing organisational and governance arrangements to support continued delivery.

Cost

The original WLC estimate set in the original 2023 PBC, with one off cost spend due to end March 29. This was updated in the PBC Addendum to a one off cost spend ending in Mar 26, which reduced the WLC. This reflects the decision to replace the DToS programme with a new, larger programme that included investment for screening alongside other areas of investment.

Benefits

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the programme's departmental benefits estimate at 25/26-Q4 has decreased . The main drivers for the change in benefits estimation for the programme are: - Changes to the treatment of QUALY benefits, figures have been updated with 25/26 actuals and onward forecasting aligned with the wider Transforming Patient, Public and Staff-facing Services programme business case.