A Co-Design Approach to the Digital Transformation of a National Public Health Surveillance Report

Data visualisation, user access and engagement, and analytical capabilities were assessed as key areas for development for the English sentinel surveillance system of respiratory and other communicable diseases. A technology development project was initiated in February 2025 to improve the accessibility and capability of the national public health surveillance report for the annual reporting period of 2024-25. The government data quality framework informed a co-design approach of the digital transformation strategy, underpinned by User-Centred Design (UCD). In October 2025, two workshops were conducted with researchers, primary care professionals, and members of a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) consultation group. During the workshop we presented our case for development of the annual report and gathered feedback. The PPIE workshop was held online, with a transcript and video recording available to identify themes about which data visualisation and interactive features were important for the modernisation of the annual surveillance report. Three key themes were identified that informed our digital transformation strategy: (1) know your users and their needs; (2) communicate data quality clearly and effectively; and (3) reduce the density of graphics for greater clarity. The co-design approach to modernise our annual surveillance public health report in the context of user-centred design was a valuable method to build public trust, engagement, and involvement in respiratory and communicable disease surveillance and research. It also provided a replicable method for transforming static reports into dynamic digital resources.