NHS Federated Data Platform Awarded to Accenture, PwC, NECS, and Carnall Farrar
Discover how the NHS's new software, the Federated Data Platform, aims to improve patient care and reduce waiting times across England.
The NHS will implement the Federated Data Platform in the spring of next year, a software system that promises to deliver better, more integrated care for millions of patients. This initiative is particularly timely, as it addresses the pressing need to tackle waiting lists and reduce hospital discharge delays, challenges exacerbated in the post-pandemic era. The software will amalgamate existing NHS data, thereby simplifying access to crucial information for healthcare staff, which is instrumental in providing improved and timely patient care.
The Federated Data Platform is designed to consolidate key information currently dispersed across various NHS systems. This integration is crucial because it addresses some of the most significant challenges faced by the health service in the wake of the pandemic. By collating real-time data, such as hospital bed availability, elective waiting list sizes, staff rosters, medical supply availability, and social care placements, healthcare professionals can plan and optimise resources. This includes the efficient use of operating theatres and outpatient clinics, ensuring patients receive care more promptly.
The contract for providing this software has been awarded to a consortium led by Palantir Technologies UK, with support from Accenture, PwC, NECS, and Carnall Farrar. This collaboration signifies a substantial investment over seven years, with an expected initial investment of at least £25.6 million in the first year. Over the contract's seven-year span, the investment in the Federated Data Platform and associated services could reach up to £330 million.
A vital aspect of this platform is the stringent control over data access. No company involved in the Federated Data Platform can access health and care data without explicit permission from the NHS. All data within the platform remains under NHS control and is exclusively used for direct care and planning. It will not be utilised for research purposes, and GP data will not feed into the national version of the software platform.
Pilot projects using this new data-sharing approach have already demonstrated significant benefits. For instance, North Tees and Hartlepool Trust witnessed a 36% reduction in long-term stays (21 days or more) despite increased demand. This improvement was accompanied by a 7.7% increase in patient admissions to the hospital.
NHS National Director for Transformation, Dr Vin Diwakar, emphasised the critical role of data in tackling waiting times, joining up patient care, and ensuring the health service's sustainability. He highlighted that patients, at their most vulnerable, expect healthcare teams to have access to the best possible information for their treatment and care. The Federated Data Platform, he noted, provides a safe and secure environment to amalgamate data, enabling the development and delivery of more responsive services for patients and aiding the health service in recovering elective care.
Implementing the Federated Data Platform will involve a six-month period where products supported by the current platform will transition to the new system. Each hospital trust and local health system will have its own software version, facilitating the connection and sharing of information, such as when discharging a patient from a hospital to a care setting.
This initiative is not just about improving operational efficiency; it's also about applying the lessons learned from the vaccination campaign to deliver faster, more informed, and integrated patient care. It aims to help the NHS tackle long-term challenges like preventing ill-health and reducing hospital stays.
The Federated Data Platform is an evolution of the current National Data Platform, whose contract is nearing its end. The new platform builds on the success of its predecessor, which played a crucial role during the pandemic by enabling the health service to better anticipate the virus, protect the most vulnerable, allocate resources effectively, and deliver a precise and extensive vaccination programme.
In conclusion, the NHS's introduction of the Federated Data Platform represents a significant stride in healthcare innovation. It's a testament to the NHS's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance patient care, reduce waiting times, and address the challenges of modern healthcare delivery. This development promises to revolutionise patient care in England and sets a precedent for healthcare systems worldwide to follow.
For more detailed information, please refer to the original article on the NHS England website: New NHS software to improve care for millions of patients.