The NHS Federated Data Platform securely brings together data currently held in separate systems, making it easier for staff to access key information so they can provide quicker and more joined-up care for millions of patients across the country.
The platform brings together real-time data, such as the number of beds in hospital, the size of elective waiting lists, staff rosters, the availability of medical supplies and social care places so staff can then plan their resources better.
New data published shows a year since its introduction, 87 NHS acute hospital trusts and 28 integrated care boards in England have signed up so far.
The data reveals hospital trusts using the NHS Federated Data Platform have each treated on average 114 more inpatients in theatres every month since introducing the tool.
Ming Tang, chief data and analytics officer at NHS England, said: ‘The NHS Federated Data Platform boosts efficiency and speeds up care and I'm delighted that over 100 NHS organisations have already signed up to use the service in its first year.'
Tang added: 'Hospital trusts using the tool are seeing dozens more patients each month and we're working with NHS organisations to bring these benefits to as many more patients as possible.'
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, one of the pilot sites, reported a 37% reduction in the number of days patients remained in hospital after they were ready to go home. Long stay patients spent an average of five days less in hospital after they were ready to leave.
Anna Hargrave, divisional director of community services at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'Over the past 18 months, this tool has enabled us to make better use of data to drive operational changes that have led to improvements in performance.
'This is hugely positive for our staff, who are enjoying better ways of working, and for our patients, who are able to safely leave hospital faster than they were a year and a half ago.'
Additional products now being tested include technology that identifies where patients could be treated faster at a nearby hospital and a new tool that helps to ensure suspected cancer patients are seen, diagnosed and treated sooner.
The NHS Federated Data Platform will also help trusts, regions and local care systems to apply the lessons learned from vaccination campaigns to deliver faster, more informed and joined-up patient care and will also help the NHS tackle long-term challenges like preventing ill-health and health inequalities.
