Terence EdenMay 1

🆕 blog! “NHS Goes To War Against Open Source”

The NHS is preparing to close nearly all of its Open Source repositories.

Throughout my time working for the UK Government - in GDS, NHSX, i.AI, and others - I championed Open Source. I spoke to dozens of departments about it, wrote guidance still in use today, and briefed Ministers on why it was so…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/05/nhs-goes-to-war-against-open-source/
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#government #nhs #OpenSource #politics

NHS Goes To War Against Open Source

The NHS is preparing to close nearly all of its Open Source repositories. Throughout my time working for the UK Government - in GDS, NHSX, i.AI, and others - I championed Open Source. I spoke to dozens of departments about it, wrote guidance still in use today, and briefed Ministers on why it was so important. That's why I'm beyond disappointed at recent moves from NHS England to backtrack on…

Terence Eden’s Blog
Show threadTerence Eden

Here's the response to my #FoI request
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/information_relating_to_guidance_2?nocache=incoming-3429727#incoming-3429727

There are no minutes of any meeting where this new anti-open-source guidance was discussed. Lends credence to the suggestion that a non-technical manager made this up on the hoof.

All other requests denied on security grounds.
#NHS #OpenSource

May 28 at 9:24amTusky
Show threadGreem (Graeme. Not Graham!)3d ago

@Edent that sounds very much like grounds for an appeal to me, given that prior to the instruction those repositories were open and no security issues had happened as a result.

Unless of course they had, in which case why don't we know that?

They've tied themselves in a knot there.

Show threadAethon3d ago

@Edent

Having worked in the NHS, I can say that most technical decisions are made by someone with no technical background. It was simply point and poke and what looks shiny at the time.

Show threadDeadliftbear3d ago
@Edent sections 24 and 31 on the names of repos that were public? What are they sniffing?
Show threadKhleedril3d ago
@Edent Does this imply that somebody read every minute of every meeting that has happened in the NHS in the last twelve months? And nobody once talked about the open-source repositories?
Show threadGreg3d ago

@Edent
I'd love it if there was a way to open-source our (patients) data input into the proprietary chain, so that any products passing that data would be obliged to open source. I know it's pie in the sky, but one can dream.

I do wonder which lobby group got to them. I'm very much in favour of legally mandated full disclosure, recording & minuting of ANY lobby meeting with any public body or their representatives. Transgressions punishable by DEATH (or maybe an occasionally enforced long prison term)

Show threadTerence Eden3d ago

@gregalotl this mostly happens.
See https://library.hee.nhs.uk/resources/open-access

Regarding lobbying, you should write to your MP about your concerns.

Open access | Workforce, training and education | NHS England

An overview of guidance and resources for NHS England staff utilising open access resources.

NHS England | Workforce, training and education | Knowledge and Library Services