Newcastle Hospitals has entered into data partnerships with Flatiron Health and Promptly Health, to support the development of research-ready datasets to help improve patient care, focus on value of its data, and promote data-driven innovation.
Recognising current limitations around data usage based on information being stored in different locations and within different software systems, the trust is seeking to enter data partnerships which will offer access to specialist skills and technologies required to make better use of data for research, innovation and development.
Expertise from the selected data partners will be used to help turn a wide range of de-identified information into anonymised datasets, Newcastle Hospitals shares, with suggested uses including in predicting those at risk for worsening symptoms or the side effects of treatment.
“Through our data partnerships, we’ll be able to refine how and when we provide certain types of care, help industry to develop new drugs and medicines and ultimately improve health through combining the expertise and skills of doctors and nurses with better statistical information and insight,” Vicky McFarlane-Reid, director for commercial development and innovation for Newcastle Hospitals commented.
Commercial researchers such as pharmaceutical companies will be charged to access data, and any income generated in this way will be invested back into NHS care, Newcastle Hospitals shared.
Wider trend: Innovative uses of health data
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced a centralised system for cancer patients, built into the Federated Data Platform, the tool is said to bring cancer patient information together. The Cancer 360 tool collates data points across tests, appointments and treatments, displayed via a dashboard. DHSC highlights how this will help “track a patient’s progress and support personalised treatment plans”.
NHS England has published an ADHD data improvement plan, with a roadmap setting out planned actions to improve data quality and introduce regular reporting. “We know our ADHD service provision has not kept pace with demand and there is a need to improve access, experience and outcomes,” the plan states, outlining the importance of accurate data in helping understand patient experience, enable service improvement, and support work on tackling health inequalities.
The HTN AI and Data Awards celebrated innovative uses of data and AI across four competitive categories in diagnosis, treatment, communication, system efficiency, and more. Read about our winners here.
