Key Takeaways
- NHS England plans to launch a cancer diagnostic pathway management service, Cancer 360, on the federated data platform (FDP) in 2025.
- The FDP aims to improve patient care by integrating separate data systems, with 96 NHS trusts currently onboard.
- Concerns regarding Palantir’s £330 million contract to operate the FDP highlight issues of transparency and ethics.
New Cancer Diagnostic Services via Federated Data Platform
NHS England has announced a significant initiative using its federated data platform (FDP) that is set to launch in 2025. This platform is designed to consolidate disparate data currently held across various systems within the NHS, allowing healthcare staff to quickly access critical information and deliver more coordinated patient care.
In its operational guidance for 2025/2026, NHS England advocates for an ‘FDP first’ approach, encouraging all systems to integrate their digital infrastructure with the FDP. This move emphasizes the importance of efficient data management in providing timely and effective healthcare services.
A key feature of the FDP is the forthcoming Cancer 360 service. This innovative tool will reform cancer diagnostic pathway management through an automatically updated patient tracking list (PTL), enabling active management of diagnostic pathways, escalation processes, and data-driven performance analytics. This service aims to enhance the overall patient experience by streamlining care from diagnosis to treatment.
In addition to Cancer 360, the FDP will introduce three more services in 2025:
– Patient Led Validation will allow patients direct control over confirming their waiting list status, boosting transparency and improving their experience.
– The Diagnostics Imaging Scheduler will optimize processes for diagnostic procedures, enhancing productivity and reducing patient wait times.
– The Timely Care Hub will provide real-time visibility of ward and site activities, resulting in more informed decision-making and improved care coordination.
As of February 2025, NHS England reports that 96 trusts have signed up for the FDP, an increase from 87 in November 2024. Initial results are promising, showing an average wait list reduction of 11%, which equates to treating an additional 119 patients in theatres per month compared to the previous period. Over 70,000 patients have also been safely removed from waiting lists through this initiative.
Ayub Bhayat, director of data services at NHS England, indicated that the FDP is critical for integrated care boards (ICBs) as they work towards their goals for 2025/26. He reiterated the importance of aligning local digital systems with the FDP to achieve increased efficiency and sustainability in healthcare operations.
However, the FDP’s rollout has not been without controversy. The awarding of a £330 million contract to the US-based data company Palantir in November 2023 raised significant concerns about procurement processes and the ethics of data management, given Palantir’s history with US government agencies. Advocates for transparency—such as the Good Law Project and openDemocracy—have expressed their apprehension regarding the implications of involving a company with a contentious background.
NHS England aims to achieve broad adoption of the FDP, targeting implementation in 85% of secondary care trusts by March 2026. This strategic approach is intended to enhance NHS operational capabilities, improve patient outcomes, and reinforce the healthcare provider’s commitment to digital transformation.
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