Next year, the NHS plans to launch new software aimed at delivering enhanced care to millions of patients. The goal is to consolidate existing NHS data currently distributed across separate NHS systems. This effort aims to facilitate easier access to key information for staff, ultimately improving the ability of staff to provide better and timelier patient care.
By integrating real time data, encompassing data like hospital bed capacity, elective waiting lists, staff schedules, and the availability of medical supplies and social care spaces, healthcare professionals can maximise their resources.
The contract to provide the software has been awarded to a group led by Palantir Technologies UK, which will see investment over seven years as more trusts join the platform.
Through pilot projects employing the innovative data-sharing approach, there has been a reduction in waiting times for planned care, as well as a decrease in discharge delays. Additionally, faster diagnosis and treatment times have been observed. Due to the rollout of the system at North Tees and Hartlepool Trust, they have successfully achieved a 36% reduction in long-term stays (21 days or more) despite a rise in demand, with a 7.7% increase in hospital admissions.
Each hospital trust and local health system will have its own version of the software, facilitating seamless connectivity and information sharing between them. This capability is beneficial, for instance, when sharing patient information as they are discharged from a hospital into a care setting.
Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “Health leaders will welcome the introduction of the Federated Data Platform as an important tool to help organisations across the NHS more rapidly connect and access data, free up vital clinical time and deliver more efficient, faster and safe care for patients”.
For the platform to succeed, sustained public engagement is important as well as addressing any concerns regarding data sharing in a meaningful manner. This initiative will contribute to cultivating a culture of continuous public engagement, fostering discussions on how the NHS can makes the best and fair use of data to transform care.
Source: NHS News
Image Credit: iStock
