There has been a significant national change to how reasonable adjustments are recorded and shared across health and social care services.
From December 2025, a new Information Standards Notice (ISN) makes it mandatory for all NHS and publicly funded health and social care providers to share, read and record Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flags (RADF). Full national compliance is required by 30 September 2026.
Why this matters?
Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flags place a visible national marker on a person’s NHS record, showing the reasonable adjustments they need when accessing care.
Once fully implemented, this will make it much easier for disabled people to receive consistent, accessible care wherever and whenever they use NHS or publicly funded services.
What is a Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag?
A RADF records the reasonable adjustments a person needs because of a disability.
Examples include:
- Wheelchair‑accessible appointments
- Information in large print or easy read
- Extra time at appointments
- Support from a carer or advocate
Providing reasonable adjustments is a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010.
What has changed?
The new information standard introduces three key changes:
1. Mandatory use (not advisory)
All NHS and publicly funded health and social care providers must now comply with the standard. This requirement is underpinned by changes in legislation.
2. Consent model has changed
Consent to share reasonable adjustment information has moved from explicit consent to implied consent.
People can still object to sharing at any time, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 must be followed where relevant.
3. National deadline confirmed
All providers must be able to share, read and write reasonable adjustment data by 30 September 2026, either through their clinical systems or directly via the National Care Records Service (NCRS).
What can Care providers do?
If you support people who use health or social care services, you can help by:
- Encouraging people you support to ask for reasonable adjustments to be recorded
- Checking whether they already have a Reasonable Adjustment Flag on their NHS record
- Advocating on their behalf if reasonable adjustments are not being recognised or shared
More information
- Reasonable adjustments Government – Reasonable adjustments: a legal duty – GOV.UK
- NHS Digital Flag- Reasonable Adjustment Flag – NHS England Digital
Contact
For questions or further support, contact the national RADF team:
england.radfproject@nhs.net