Microsoft Azure and NHS Compliance
Be-Informed Healthcare Ltd. uses Microsoft Azure to host its digital consent platform and AI-powered Patient Advisor. Azure is widely used across the NHS and meets strict healthcare data security standards.
Azure Meets NHS Standards
Microsoft Azure has a dedicated UK NHS compliance policy that helps organisations like ours meet NHS and UK Government data protection requirements. These include:
- Keeping data within the UK
- Blocking unauthorised public access to sensitive data
- Enforcing encryption, logging, and monitoring
- Making sure resources follow approved security configurations
You can see the full details of the NHS-aligned Azure policy here:
Azure UK OFFICIAL and UK NHS Compliance Policy
Microsoft also provides a list of built-in policies you can apply automatically to your Azure resources to help maintain compliance across all environments.
Examples of NHS Use of Azure
Microsoft Azure is already used by several NHS services and national programmes. For example:
- NHS England's Digital Staff Passport: Hosted on Azure to securely manage personal and occupational health data. Privacy notice
- NHSmail: The national email service for health and social care professionals is hosted on Microsoft’s cloud platform.
- COVID-19 Track and Trace System: NHS Scotland partnered with Microsoft to develop a QR code-based track and trace system during the pandemic. Hosted on Azure, it enabled secure venue check-ins with encrypted data accessible only to NHS Scotland contact tracers.
- NHS Trusts: Trusts including Great Ormond Street Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals use Azure for electronic patient records and data analytics.
Governance and Security
As part of our commitment to information governance, Be-Informed follows NHS Digital’s guidance on:
- Data offshoring and public cloud use: NHS Cloud and Offshoring Guidance
- HSCN connectivity: Azure provides ExpressRoute for secure connection to the Health and Social Care Network where required.