Making Sense of the Complex Health Data Landscape in 2023
Rowland Agidee MSc CHCIO CITP FEDIPAdvPra PC.dp
CDAO | Digital Transformation | Data Strategy & Planning | Data Management & Analytics | Information Governance, Security & Assurance
The health data landscape in 2023 can seem confusing to both medical professionals and the general public alike. Between Secure Data Environments (SDEs), the Federated Data Platform (FDP), Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and boards (ICB) data stores, and more - how do all these initiatives fit together?
At its core is care data that patients consent to share in order to receive direct treatment from the NHS. This data needs to flow securely between providers like GPs, hospitals, mental health services, and ambulances as a patient moves through the care pathway. Initiatives like the FDP provide standardised schemas and data exchange mechanisms that pave the way for interconnected data flows across the country.
De-identified versions of this core clinical data also feeds into the Secondary Uses Service (SUS) database at NHS England for essential national services, analysis to improve care delivery, and research for public benefit under strict controls. SDEs facilitate safe access to de-identified health data with training and accreditation for research use cases.
As the central authority overseeing health data in England, NHS England plays a key role in providing national infrastructure, standards, governance and controlled access. They set out the digital transformation strategy for the wider health system.
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At a regional level, recently formed ICSs and ICBs bring together various care providers to understand local population health needs and better coordinate patient services. This requires standardised data sharing across primary, acute, community, and social care.
In certain specialties like medical imaging, NHS trusts can form collaborative consortiums for shared IT platforms enabling safe image and report exchanges. East Midlands Radiology Consortium (EMRAD) offers a blueprint here.
New transparency, public involvement and independent advisory structures around data usage are being erected across the ecosystem, so people can see how health information benefits research and services.
The landscape may seem maze-like, but common principles and governance binds it together to deliver better care while protecting patient privacy. I'm happy to unpack any aspect in more detail in the comments!
Specialty Doctor in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | Medical Information Officer - Women and Children | UHDB Outpatient Clinical Lead including GIRFT FFP & Digital Improvements
1 年Hi Thanks for this article.If FDP delivers what it promises ,it will be a fantastic outcome.I perceive this requires very robust good quality data generation from various platforms, apps, EHR, and other digital systems which then goes in to an integrated system. We need more people with data analytics skills and also clinicians with a background knowledge of those skills , so there is a connected approach.Also, different trusts across the country seem to be progressing at varying speed in their digital maturity and advanced data analytics ,will there be a disparity in the architecture and functionalities of FDP's across the country? Are we adequately prepared for this with an appropriately trained workforce?