University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) is launching a pre-market engagement exercise to find a digital consent system, advancing its clinical digitisation agenda. This initiative, published in January 2026, aims to replace traditional paper-based consent forms with a secure, integrated electronic solution. UHB is inviting digital health vendors to help shape the future procurement, with the core goal being to identify suppliers and market capabilities before finalising the detailed specification and procurement strategy.
A digital consent platform promises substantial clinical and operational benefits. It aims to improve the quality of care by enabling patients to review information digitally and give consent via secure platforms, supporting shared decision-making. Operationally, it will enhance efficiency by reducing errors from illegible or misplaced paper forms and freeing up staff time from administrative processing. Crucially, the system will integrate with electronic health records to ensure consistent storage and easy access to consent forms, offering a vital safeguard for patient safety and medico-legal clarity.
UHB's move aligns with a wider NHS push for the digitisation of administrative and clinical processes, mirroring efforts by other trusts like Croydon Health Services NHS Trust. This is part of UHB’s broader digital transformation agenda and is consistent with a pattern of digitally enabled projects across the West Midlands, supporting the NHS’s strategic goals under the 10-Year Health Plan. Interested suppliers must submit expressions of interest by 13:00 on 27 January 2026. The anticipated contract period is from May 2026 to April 2029, with a potential extension to April 2030, signifying a long-term commitment.
While patient advocates support the shift for facilitating better informed choice, UHB must address key challenges during adoption. These include ensuring the system is accessible for all patients, particularly those with limited digital skills or language barriers, implementing robust authentication and data protection measures, and ensuring successful integration with existing Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems. By soliciting early market feedback, UHB is undertaking strategic planning for this major digital procurement. The outcome could serve as a model for other NHS trusts, contributing to a future where patient consent is safer, more convenient, and fully integrated with clinical care delivery.
