UK NHS Digital Development Guide (2026)

NHS DTAC timeline: (1) evidence preparation (ClickMasters produces DTAC evidence pack across all 5 domains): 4–8 weeks depending on project complexity. (2) NHSX DTAC review (assessor reviews submitted evidence): 4–8 weeks. (3) Clarification questions (assessor may request additional evidence): 2–4 weeks. Total: 10–20 weeks from evidence pack submission to DTAC approval. ClickMasters has achieved DTAC approval on first submission for 14 of 18 projects (78% first-submission success rate — industry average: approximately 40%). Keys to first-submission success: complete data flow diagram (most common rejection cause), WCAG 2.1 AA zero critical violations (most common Domain 5 failure), and CREST penetration test for Domain 3 (required for higher assurance products).

DTAC (Digital Technology Assessment Criteria) and DCB0129 are different NHS frameworks that often apply simultaneously. DTAC: procurement assessment — NHS organisations are required to assess all digital products against DTAC before procurement. Assesses the product across 5 domains (data protection, security, interoperability, usability — not clinical safety specifically). DCB0129 (Clinical Safety Standard): requires clinical software to have a documented clinical risk management process — hazard log, clinical safety case, Clinical Safety Officer sign-off. When both apply: almost all NHS clinical software needs both DTAC AND DCB0129 — DTAC Domain 2 includes some safety-adjacent questions, but DCB0129 is the separate and more rigorous clinical safety framework. ClickMasters produces both simultaneously — DTAC evidence pack and DCB0129 clinical safety case — as part of every NHS clinical project.