Somerset ICB has launched a survey in collaboration with Healthwatch Somerset, aiming to collect feedback from local residents on the use of their health data to inform the development of the Somerset Linked Data Platform.
Submissions will support the ICB in the Linked Data Platform’s development, with the aim of anonymously linking health and social care data to improve understandings of local needs, tailor services, and enable earlier intervention.
The survey asks respondents to share their awareness and acceptance of other uses of their data outside of patient care, such as in planning services and improving public health, as well as its potential to be shared or linked with other public services. It further seeks to understand their trust in the NHS’s ability to protect personal data, and asks for additional information on what else could be done to reassure them of its safety.
Analysts and researchers using the LDP will only have access to anonymised data, and access to data will be overseen by a Data Access Committee including at least three members of the public, the ICB shares. It also offers reassurance that AI will not be used in the linking of datasets, but states that machine learning tools may be used in the anonymisation process. Where research identifies specific cases that may require intervention, the platform will allow GPs to re-identify patients to offer services, it adds.
The current focus is on building the “integration and governance layer” that will join data together and make sense of different coding and terminology. According to Somerset, the decision to undertake this work in-house is inspired by the “large number” of system partners needing to be linked, some of whom do not use NHS numbers as common identifiers. The ICB commented: “Building the logic to enable this work to be automated is not something we can buy off the shelf. Managing this process proactively ourselves is critical to minimise risk.”
Other reasons given for developing a new solution include a desire to avoid reliance on a single tool that could lead to “vendor lock-in”, a future need for flexibility, and a commitment to ensuring patient data isn’t exposed to commercial organisations, maintaining ethical standards and control over data access.
“Under the government’s new data ownership framework, we as an integrated care system hold full accountability for all data activities across any common platform,” the ICB notes. “By building the Linked Data Platform ourselves, we can ensure we have robust governance around how data is linked, processed, and ethically managed.”
Wider trend: Data for informing proactive care
North West London ICB has defined next steps and key priorities to accelerate neighbourhood health across the region, with a focus on agreements for data sharing, accelerating the spread of proven care models, and driving the move from reactive to proactive care. Since the last update, “the focus has shifted from design to delivery”, NWL states. “All seven place managing directors are now leading local partnerships with governance and integrator arrangements in development. One model of care – children’s health – is demonstrating measurable impact and is being rolled out.” Other care models are currently being confirmed, or are in proof of concept phases, including cardio-renal metabolic and end-of-life care.
Kent and Medway ICB’s Digital, Data and Technology strategy for 2025 – 2029 has been published, sharing intentions to personalise services, focus on prevention, promote interoperable systems, and use data-enabled strategic commissioning to target needs and allocate system resources. Five priority areas are outlined, including equality and digital inclusion, where the board shares plans to use population health analytics and risk stratification to identify need and target resources, to scale remote monitoring and virtual wards, and to build digital skills with targeted learning.
Barts Health has shared how a real-time data dashboard, linked to its EPR, has made an impact on patient safety, patient flow, and delivery of care. The M-BRACE project presents key information in a single place, including data relating to risk of falls, low blood sugar, and delays in assessment or transport, to support structured check-ins through the day. At 8-9am ward teams meet with support of the data, 10-12pm best practice reviews of every patient’s care take place, with check-ins 3-4pm, to review and track progress on discharges and identify any patients becoming unwell.
