Introduction
Innovation and transparency are key values in the development of digital public services. However, a recent decision by NHS England's technical leadership to close the source code of its repositories raises concerns. This open letter, signed by 236 people as of May 1, 2026, reiterates the importance of keeping the code open, a principle upheld by the UK Government Design Principles and the NHS Service Standard.
Why Open Code is Crucial
One of the main arguments for open source code is that it enhances code quality. Making the code accessible to the public imposes a higher level of rigor. It requires robust processes to identify and fix vulnerabilities, thereby strengthening the overall security of the system. By exposing the code to potential threats, its resilience is enhanced, similar to the human immune system.
Security and Resilience
Closed source code can give a false sense of security through obscurity. However, when highly motivated attackers are involved, this strategy often proves ineffective. For instance, a study by Red Hat shows that open source projects often have faster response times to security breaches due to their active communities.
Collaborative Innovation
Open code also fosters collaborative innovation. Developers worldwide can contribute to improving the code, bringing new ideas and innovative solutions. A notable example is the Apache open source project, which has benefited from the contributions of thousands of developers, leading to continuous improvements and widespread industry adoption.
Call to Action
We urge NHS England to withdraw its decision to close the code (SDLC-8) and reaffirm its commitment to the NHS Service Standard, Principle 12: “Make new source code open.” This change is not just about developers, but about the entire community that benefits from a transparent and secure public service.
Conclusion
It is crucial for NHS England to reconsider its position to continue leading in digital innovation within the public sector. Keeping the source code open is not only beneficial for security but also for innovation and collaboration.
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