NHS Digital and Private Health Information Network agree major collaboration
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Data from private healthcare providers is to be integrated with NHS data in an initiative designed to create more comprehensive patient records and improve consistency of information.
The scheme, dubbed the Acute Data Alignment Programme (ADAPt), is being led by NHS Digital and the Private Health Information Network, a not-for-profit industry body approved by the Competition and Markets Authority. NHS England, NHS Improvement, the Care Quality Commission, and the Department of Health and Social Care are also taking part in the programme.
The first phase of the ADAPt programme “will see co-operation between all parties to accelerate publication of information mandated by the CMA”, according to NHS Digital. The second phase will see PHIN provide NHS Digital data on 750,000 visits on private hospitals.
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Beyond these initial stages, a public consultation – to be launched later in 2018 – will help shape “the scope and objectives” of the programme.
Sarah Wilkinson, NHS Digital chief executive, said: “Integrating data from private suppliers into NHS systems will improve the completeness of records for patients whose care is split across private and NHS providers. This will improve safety, efficacy, and convenience for these patients. In addition it will provide insights into patient outcomes in the private sector and how they compare to the NHS. These insights will help increase standards of care in both sectors”
Matt James, chief executive of PHIN, said: “We’re delighted to be working on the ADAPt programme with NHS Digital and other partners. ADAPt potentially offers a faster and more sustainable way to achieve greater transparency in private healthcare.”
