NHS Digital has entered into a consultation with an independent provider network to align private healthcare data with NHS recorded activity.
The consultation with Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) will focus on changes to how data is recorded and managed across private and NHS care. It will include common standards to record and report on activity and measure quality and risks.
Under the changes proposed in the Acute Data Alignment Programme (ADAPt), PHIN will share the national dataset of private admitted patient care in England with NHS Digital, creating a single source of healthcare data in England.
It aims to ensure providers, care planners, regulators and researchers better understand how private and public healthcare data sits alongside each other.
NHS Digital will also pilot collecting data directly from independent providers. This data will be shared with PHIN.
Matt Hancock, Health Secretary said “Regardless of where you’re treated or how your care is funded, everybody deserves safe, compassionate care.”
“The recent Paterson Inquiry highlighted the shocking failures that can occur when information is not shared and acted upon in both the NHS and independent sector.”
“We are working tirelessly across the health system to deliver the highest standards of care for patients. Trusted data is absolutely critical to this mission and the ADAPt programme will help improve transparency and raise standards for all.”
Tom Denwood, Executive Director of Data, Insights and Statistics at NHS Digital “In light of the conclusion of the Paterson Inquiry the ability to provide greater transparency in quality and safety and to improve patient care is more important than ever.”
“We would like to encourage feedback on this consultation, especially from patient groups, professional bodies, and providers of care, to help it draw its important conclusions on if and how to create this alignment.”
Matt James, CEO of PHIN, said “The ADAPt programme will make PHIN’s data on private healthcare more easily available to the NHS to improve governance. We encourage everyone to voice their support for this important initiative to improve patient safety.”
