Your DSPT gap is why that NHS contract hasn't moved in months

NHS organisations cannot procure from suppliers who haven't met data security standards. A single incomplete Toolkit submission can defer five- and six-figure contracts by four months or more.

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Engage an NHS DSPT specialist to assess your current position and build a compliance roadmap. Prioritise the mandatory assertions required for your product category. Complete a penetration test from an approved supplier. Ensure all staff complete mandatory data security training. Submit your DSPT assessment before your NHS procurement timeline.

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I'll go through your assurance pack and show you what's missing before a buyer asks

What I need from you

Your assurance pack, or a list of what's in it
One line on what data your product handles

What you get

Which documents are missing or out of date
What to send before the buyer asks
The three changes that matter most

Within 2 working days

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The DPO Centre
Data protection
Outsourced data protection officers, NHS DSPT support and Caldicott Guardian services, including for healthcare organisations.
Outsourced DPO and data protection services, including for healthcare organisations.
Best for: Clinics and hospitals needing an outsourced DPO
Price on request
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NHS organisations cannot procure healthtech products that don't meet NHS data security standards. The Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) is mandatory for any supplier handling NHS patient data, but many healthtech companies underestimate the time and resource required to achieve compliance - particularly around data processing agreements, penetration testing, and staff training.

The root causes stem from a combination of factors: healthtech companies often underestimate the complexity and resource intensity of NHS data security standards, particularly the DSPT.
There's a lack of clear, unified guidance on procurement pathways and infrastructure within the NHS, leading to confusion and duplicated efforts.
Additionally, internal resource constraints within healthtech SMEs can hinder dedicated investment in compliance activities, making it a reactive rather than proactive process.

DSPT compliance support costs in the UK typically range from £5,000 to £15,000, depending on the scope and complexity of the healthtech company's needs (JVR Consultancy, AvISO Consultancy, Stratia Cyber, 2026). A 4.7-month procurement delay for a £200,000 NHS contract can result in approximately £78,000 in deferred revenue.

Increased administrative burden on internal teams to address compliance gaps
Diversion of technical resources from product development to compliance remediation
Loss of potential revenue from delayed or lost NHS contracts
Increased operational costs due to rushed, last-minute compliance efforts
Damage to credibility and trust with NHS partners and potential clients
Negative perception within the healthtech community regarding readiness for NHS engagement

What it looks like in practice

Repeated requests for additional documentation during NHS procurement processes
Delays in contract finalisation due to outstanding DSPT assertions
Healthtech products being deprioritised by NHS trusts due to perceived compliance risk
Inability to access NHS data or integrate with NHS systems, limiting product functionality

No verified UK data available for specific percentages of healthtech procurement delays caused by incomplete DSPT submissions or average delay months. However, DSPT non-compliance is widely cited as a significant barrier to NHS procurement for healthtech companies (Health Tech Alliance, 2025).

Source: https://healthtechalliance.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Health-Tech-Alliance-Procurement-Report.pdf

Paul Robinson

14 years in UK private healthcare

I solve this one for healthcare companies

Want a hand? I'll look at your situation and tell you the three things I'd tackle first.

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I reply personally, usually the same day.

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Do it yourself: step by step

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I'll go through your assurance pack and show you what's missing before a buyer asks

What I need from you

What you get

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Want a hand? I'll look at your situation and tell you the three things I'd tackle first.

You're not the only one with this problem.