Adoption of Digital Mental Health Interventions in National Health Service England, Scotland, and Wales: Freedom of Information Questionnaire Study

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Not applicable - descriptive study

• Effect Size: 60% reduction from 48 technologies in 2015 to 19 technologies in current study

• Primary Outcome: Number of DMHIs procured by NHS mental health services

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Only 2 technologies remained in continuous use over the decade

• Confidence Interval: Not reported

Clinical Application

Findings directly inform procurement decisions and policy development for digital mental health services Limited direct applicability to Australian context due to different health system structure, though trends may be relevant for digital health policy development NHS mental health service commissioners and providers managing adult common mental health problems

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have been widely promoted to improve access to mental health care within the UK National Health Service (NHS), particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2015, a total of 48 technologies were reportedly used in NHS services in England, but over the past decade, substantial changes to regulatory requirements, evidence standards, and procurement processes have reshaped the digital mental health landscape. There is limited clarity regarding which DMHIs are currently being formally procured and funded by NHS mental health services across the United Kingdom. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify and describe the DMHIs currently procured, contracted, or paid for by NHS mental health service providers in England, Scotland, and Wales for adult common mental health problems and to compare current procurement practices with findings reported in 2015. METHODS: Freedom of Information requests were submitted to all NHS mental health trusts in England and all health boards in Scotland and Wales. Responses were collated and screened to provide an updated and extended record of which technologies are reportedly procured or paid for by services. RESULTS: In total, 19 different DMHIs were identified as being procured across mental health service providers for adult common mental health problems at the time of data collection. This demonstrates a substantial reduction in the number of technologies being adopted into practice compared to the 48 reported in England in 2015. The findings reveal several key insights, including that only 2 technologies have remained in use for a decade, and they shed light on the types of technologies being selected and the variations in procurement practices among the 3 national health services. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the expansion of the digital mental health marketplace, the number of DMHIs formally procured by NHS mental health services has markedly decreased over the past decade. This consolidation may reflect increased selectivity and the adoption of higher-quality products, driven by strengthened regulatory oversight, evidence standards, and national guidance. Although these developments may enhance safety and quality assurance, they also raise important questions about innovation, market sustainability, and equitable access to digital mental health care. Ongoing monitoring of procurement practices is needed to inform policy, service design, and the future development of DMHIs.

References

1. 1.Hitcham, L., Gómez Bergin, A., Ito-Jaeger, S., Reeves, S., & Perez Vallejos, E. (2026). Adoption of Digital Mental Health Interventions in National Health Service England, Scotland, and Wales: Freedom of Information Questionnaire Study. JMIR Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.2196/92187