Guides
The standards and rules around hospital software, explained plainly.
For NHS and hospital digital, IT, operations and clinical safety leads. Each guide answers one question, links the official pages it draws on, and says where Thalix does and doesn't fit.
Interoperability
How hospital systems exchange data: HL7 v2, FHIR, UK Core, identity and the integration layer between them.
HL7 v2 vs FHIR: what's the difference?HL7 v2 sends event messages built from segments; FHIR exchanges modular resources over REST, messages or documents. How they differ, and why hospitals run both.
HL7 v2 ADT messages explained: A01, A02, A03, A08 and moreADT messages tell hospital systems when a patient is admitted, transferred, discharged or updated. What the common trigger events mean, and where they fail.
What is an integration engine in a hospital?An integration engine receives, transforms and routes messages between hospital systems. What it does, why mapping lives there, and what to ask of yours.
What is FHIR UK Core?UK Core is the UK's set of FHIR R4 profiles and extensions, governed by NHS England standard DAPB4020. What it covers, who it applies to and what it doesn't.
SMART Backend Services explained: system-to-system FHIR accessSMART Backend Services lets a server get a FHIR access token with no user present, using a registered key, a signed JWT and client credentials.
Interoperability standards in the NHS: a map for hospital teamsFHIR and UK Core, HL7 v2, SNOMED CT, the NHS Number, PDS and the clinical safety standards: what each does and how they fit together in a hospital.
The NHS Number and PDS: matching patients across hospital systemsHow the NHS Number and the Personal Demographics Service identify patients, what the national usage policy requires, and where matching goes wrong.
Clinical safety and assurance
The standards and checks a hospital applies before software touches care: DCB0129, DCB0160, DTAC, the DSPT and medical device rules.
DCB0129 and DCB0160 clinical safety standards explainedDCB0129 covers manufacturers of health IT; DCB0160 covers the organisations that deploy it. Who must comply, what each requires, and how they fit with DTAC.
What does a clinical safety officer do?Under DCB0129 and DCB0160 a clinical safety officer is a registered clinician who approves the risk plan, hazard log and safety case reports.
Hazard log and clinical safety case report: what goes in them?The DCB0129 and DCB0160 definitions of hazard, clinical risk, hazard log and safety case report, what each document is for, and example hazards for AI software.
The DTAC (Digital Technology Assessment Criteria) explainedDTAC is how NHS and social care buyers assess digital health products across five areas. What's in scope, the 2026 form, who assesses what, and what DTAC isn't.
The NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) explainedThe DSPT is the yearly self-assessment for organisations with access to NHS patient data and systems. Who completes it, the 2026-27 deadline and statuses.
Is AI software a medical device in the UK?Whether hospital AI software is a medical device depends on its intended purpose. How the MHRA's guidance draws the line, and what it means for buyers.
AI and hospital operations
Using AI agents and automation in hospital work without losing control of the data or the decision.
Do you need a DPIA for AI in the NHS?NHS England says a DPIA must legally be done before implementing AI. What it should cover: purpose, legal basis, controllers, accuracy and security.
On-premises AI in hospitals: when patient data can't leave the buildingRunning AI on a hospital's own servers keeps patient data in-house but brings its own risks. What NHS guidance says about hosted and on-site models.
AI agents in hospital operations: what they can safely doAI agents can prepare, check and route hospital work while people decide. What NHS guidance says about oversight and liability, and a safe pattern.
Bed management and patient flow automation: what to automate firstNHS England's discharge guidance asks for daily demand planning, early discharge tasks and clear delay data. What automation helps with, and what stays human.
Thalix Health
See Thalix on a demo hospital.
A conversation with us is 45 minutes and free: the work you want to hand to agents, the systems involved, and where Thalix would and wouldn't fit. Demos run on synthetic patients.