Governance of data

We provide the national governance framework for all data across health and care.

The data governance framework aims to govern the implementation of a standardised data architecture for health and care. It will standardise data privacy, security and access, optimising data management and resulting in improved data quality, lineage and maximising the use of health and care data for better outcomes.

The data governance structure

Our governance structure ensures that data specifications are engaged with and meet legal, data, technical, and strategic requirements before legal mandation.

The process involves three main stages:

Assurance and testing: Data Governance, Assurance and Testing (DGAT) provide guidance and help to prepare for the technical assurance and testing of standards and data specifications.
Expert review and approval: The Data Assurance Board (DAB) reviews DGAT's findings and provides formal approval on behalf of the DAPB. DAB decisions are informed by data architecture expertise on the Data Design Authority (DDA).
Legal sign-off: The Data Alliance Partnership Board (DAPB) holds the delegated legal responsibility, from the Secretary of State for Health and Care, for the final assurance and publication of all information standards and data specifications.

Navigate our governance boards

Below you will find a brief overview of each governance board and panel that comprises our national structure.

Select any board title or the accompanying arrow for access to its full Terms of Reference, scope, and membership details.

Data Design Authority (DDA)

The DDA provides architectural design leadership and technical expertise. You come here to get your proposed architectural changes formally approved (or endorsed), ensuring all new or updated data standards align with the target national data architecture.

Data Assurance Board (DAB)

The DAB is responsible for detailed scrutiny and approval of new or retired information standards and data collections. The DAB makes sure your proposed change aligns with criteria for clinical safety, burden reduction, implementation feasibility. They will also check, test and validate the data pipeline before formal approval. They will also check, test and validate the data pipeline before formal approval. Once approved your proposal is then published for national use in health and care in England, operating under the authority delegated by the DAPB.

Data Alliance Partnership Board (DAPB)

The DAPB is the legally mandated strategic body that oversees the national assurance of information standards and data collections. Its primary focus is on strategic oversight and stakeholder engagement for standards and assurance frameworks. The DAPB delegates formal approval authority to the DAB and relies on the DDA for architectural consultation. Developers typically do not interact with this board directly.

Explore our other pages

Assuring information standards

Latest activity for information standards

Legislative changes and mandatory Information Standards

Contact us

If you have any queries, or feedback, about any of the information on this page, contact us at [email protected].

Last edited: 12 February 2026 5:06 pm