Unlocking the potential of NHS data: A vision for a unified health data platform

By Ruth Holland and Mark Kewley

By Ruth Holland, Director of Data & Analytics, London Secure Data Environment, OneLondon Health Data Portfolio, and Mark Kewley, Programme Director, London Secure Data Environment, OneLondon Health Data Portfolio.

The landscape of healthcare is increasingly being shaped by the effective use of data, yet the journey towards realising the full potential of NHS data is fraught with challenges. At the core of this transformation is the OneLondon programme, an ambitious initiative that seeks to overcome the fragmentation of health data across the capital and, ultimately, improve patient care, operational efficiency, and research outcomes.

The origins of OneLondon: Addressing fragmentation

The OneLondon programme was born out of a need to address a longstanding issue within the NHS: the fragmentation of health data. Historically, patient information has been scattered across various care settings, making it difficult for both healthcare providers and patients to access a complete picture of an individual’s health. This fragmentation not only hampers the delivery of efficient care but also limits the ability to derive meaningful insights from the data.

In response, London’s healthcare leaders embarked on a journey to create the London Care Record, a unified platform that allows for the sharing of relevant patient data across care settings. Initially focused on providing a ‘view-only’ access to patient information, the programme has now evolved into a more sophisticated data platform capable of generating actionable insights for both direct care and research purposes.

Building a comprehensive data platform to support integrated care

Our efforts have now moved beyond simply making data accessible. The goal, which is supported by funding from the NHS England Data for R&D Programme and London’s integrated care systems (ICSs), is to create a London-wide data platform that can provide insights that inform care decisions at both the individual and population levels. The transition from a ‘view-only’ system to a dynamic data platform represents a significant milestone. It allows us to harness data from across London’s health system to support integrated care, drive proactive care strategies and facilitate advanced research.

In North West London ICS, for example, we’ve seen the success of integrating data across different care settings. Clinicians now have access to a comprehensive view of their patients, enabling them to deliver more informed care. The next step is to expand across London and incorporate data from all other care settings for the population of 10.6 million people.

Leveraging advanced technologies

Central to this transformation is the integration of cutting-edge technologies like Federated Learning Interoperability Platform (FLIP) and AI tools. These tools enable us to bring together different types of data, such as electronic patient records and radiology images, into a single, interoperable platform. By doing so, we can develop predictive models that not only support clinical decision-making but also enhance the accuracy and efficacy of research.

The use of natural language processing (NLP) to convert unstructured data into structured formats is a significant advancement. With approximately 80-90 per cent of healthcare data stored in unstructured formats, such as clinical notes and images, NLP allows us to unlock a wealth of information that was previously inaccessible. This capability is crucial as it significantly increases the insights we can derive from our data, paving the way for more personalised and effective healthcare solutions.

Ruth Holland will be the Chair of a Spotlight session with Dr Jessica Morley at Digital Health Rewired 2025, taking place 18-19 March in Birmingham.

Overcoming challenges through collaboration

The scale and ambition of the OneLondon programme are unprecedented, and so are the challenges. Integrating data across multiple care settings, ensuring stakeholder alignment and navigating complex information governance (IG) issues are just a few of the hurdles we face. However, these challenges also highlight the importance of collaboration.

We’ve worked extensively with the public to understand their expectations around data use, and this feedback has been invaluable in shaping our approach to IG. The public’s support for data integration across care settings has provided a strong mandate for us to push forward with this initiative. Additionally, our collaboration with data controllers, particularly GPs, has been critical in ensuring that the platform brings tangible benefits back to the practitioners who contribute to it.

A vision for the future

The vision for OneLondon is clear: a comprehensive, interoperable data platform that not only supports the immediate needs of patient care but also drives long-term improvements in population health and research. While we recognise that we are still at the early stages of this journey, the progress we’ve made thus far is encouraging. The successful integration of data in North West London serves as a model for the rest of the city, and with continued investment and collaboration, we are confident that we can achieve our goals.

The OneLondon programme represents a bold and necessary step towards a future where data is used to its fullest potential to improve health outcomes. By overcoming the challenges of data fragmentation, leveraging advanced technologies, and fostering collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem, we are laying the foundation for a more integrated, efficient, and patient-centred NHS.

Ruth Holland will be the Chair of a Spotlight session with Dr Jessica Morley at Digital Health Rewired 2025, taking place 18-19 March in Birmingham.

*Ruth Holland, Director of Data & Analytics, London Secure Data Environment, OneLondon Health Data Portfolio*

Nominations open for Our Health Heroes Awards 2025, delivered by Skills for Health

By Integrated Care Journal

Nominations are now open for the Our Health Heroes Awards 2025, celebrating the wider healthcare workforce – from porters and cleaners to receptionists, gardeners and security guards – that supports NHS doctors and nurses on the frontline.

Supported by NHS England, NHS Employers, NHS Shared Business Services, NHS Race & Health Observatory and Integrated Care Journal, Our Health Heroes celebrates the wider healthcare workforce that supports NHS doctors and nurses on the frontline.

From porters and cleaners to receptionists, gardeners and security guards, these often unsung heroes make up roughly 40 per cent of the NHS’s million strong workforce.

Our Health Heroes Awards is a national celebration of their achievements and an opportunity to give thanks for the important role that they play in keeping the health service functioning.

Our Health Heroes Awards 2025 categories:

Individual awards

Clinical Support Worker of the Year
Operational Support Worker of the Year
Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Healthcare
Apprentice of the Year
Healthcare Volunteer of the Year

Team awards

Best Healthcare Workforce Collaboration
Dedication to a Lifelong Learning Culture
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Champion
Digital Innovation

Nominations close at midday on Tuesday 4 March. An expert panel of judges will then decide the finalists in each category.

John Rogers, Chief Executive of Skills for Health, comments: “Our Health Heroes is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the remarkable dedication of the wider NHS workforce.

“The awards shine a much-deserved spotlight on the unsung heroes – cleaners, porters, security staff, receptionists, medical secretaries and many more – who don’t often get the recognition that they deserve.

“The commitment, compassion and hard work displayed day in day out by the wider healthcare workforce is a credit to, and the backbone of, our NHS.”

Erika Bannerman, Managing Director of NHS Shared Business Services, comments: “The Our Health Heroes Awards are an expression of appreciation for those who make such a significant impact on patient care and the wider community.

“It is vital to acknowledge the contributions of individuals and teams who go above and support the delivery of outstanding care, and we are proud to be able to support the awards again this year.”

The winners of the awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London on 22 May 2025.

To make a nomination visit: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/awards

Harnessing data-led approaches to patient safety: a case study

By Jonathan Webb, Head of Safety and Learning at NHS Wales

Jonathan Webb, Head of Safety and Learning at NHS Wales, relates two data-led approaches aimed at reducing avoidable harm and litigation costs across Wales, demonstrating the success of unified and standardised approaches to patient safety.

NHS Wales faced growing challenges in improving patient safety and reducing harm across its healthcare system. Rising litigation costs, inconsistent training, and fragmented data across health boards limited the ability to identify trends and implement evidence-based improvements. Specific issues, such as preventable harm in maternity services and the lack of a unified approach to handling incidents, complaints, and claims, highlighted the need for systemic solutions.

These challenges created opportunities to:

Implement a unified training programme to improve outcomes in maternity services (PROMPT Wales).
Develop centralised data systems to connect incidents, complaints, and claims and workforce data, enabling shared learning and improvements (Once for Wales Concerns Management System).

The solutions

PROMPT Wales

This initiative introduced a structured, multi-professional training programme for maternity teams across NHS Wales. Designed to improve safety, teamwork, and communication, PROMPT Wales delivered:

Standardised, scenario-based training for all staff.
Data-informed guidance to address identified risks, such as postpartum haemorrhage.
Comprehensive engagement, with 93 per cent of maternity staff trained within a year.

Once for Wales Concerns Management System (OfWCMS):

Led by the Welsh Risk Pool, part of NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, this platform centralised incident, complaint, and claim management across all health boards. By unifying disparate systems:

Data could be analysed holistically, identifying trends across complaints, incidents, and claims.
Integration ensured consistent national approaches to handling patient concerns and improving quality of care.

Collaboration between healthcare teams, Welsh Government, and RLDatix ensured that initiatives were implemented with consistency and aligned with national safety goals.

Scalability

The scalability of these initiatives lies in their structured and integrative approaches.

PROMPT Wales: Its team-based training model and use of data can be adapted to other clinical specialities or regions. The methodology ensures alignment with local needs while maintaining national standards.
Once for Wales: The centralised framework can be replicated in other healthcare systems to unify and optimise incident management, feedback collection, and data analysis.

Enablers:

National buy-in and strong governance frameworks.
Robust technology platforms for data collection and integration.
Proven impact, such as measurable safety improvements and cultural change.

Constraints:

Initial investment in technology and training.
Variation in local infrastructure and staff capacity.
Need for sustained leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Evidence of success

PROMPT Wales, along with the sheer hard work of staff within services, delivered significant clinical improvements:

33.8 per cent reduction in severe postpartum haemorrhage (≥2500mL).
43.5 per cent reduction in term APGAR scores <7 at 5 minutes.
Enhanced safety culture, as evidenced by improved staff safety attitude scores.

Once for Wales outcomes included:

Uniform data collection across all health boards and trusts.
Real-time insights into patient and staff feedback, enabling proactive safety measures.
Improved learning from incidents and claims, contributing to better service quality and reduced harm.

Quantitative data from PROMPT Wales shows statistically significant improvements in clinical outcomes (P-value <0.0001). Feedback from OfWCMS users highlights enhanced decision-making due to integrated data systems.

Lasting benefits

Patients receive safer care and improved health outcomes across maternity and broader services.

Staff benefit from greater confidence, reduced stress, and better training support.

Systems benefit from enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and a model for future healthcare improvements.

Digital Implementation, Featured, News January 13, 2025

Building confidence in AI telephony tools for primary care

By Max Gattlin

Max Gattlin discusses whether AI telephony tools are ready to deliver transformation in primary care and help end the ‘8am rush’, accelerating patients’ time-to-care.

The latest figures show that general practice delivered a record 38.6m appointments in October 2024 (or more than 40m when counting COVID-19 jabs). That’s the highest ever one-month total on record. Amid this surging demand this, primary care is struggling with overwhelming demand and clinician shortages, and GP leaders have warned that the pressure facing services is not sustainable.

The solution cannot lie solely in hiring more staff at practices – there’s a bigger picture at play. It’s about making better use of the tools and technology already available to ease the load on existing teams. This is an area where AI can help, but in order to maximise benefits and ensure use and adoption at scale, ensuring that clinicians and patients trust in the tools is critical.

Why is AI in digital telephony so important?

Use of the ‘digital front door’ is ever-increasing, but despite advancements, over two thirds (68 per cent) of patients continue to contact their GP practice via telephone as the first port of call. The shift from analogue to digital is something we all know is coming in the 10 Year Health Plan, and as the most used element of the digital front door, it is clear that primary care has a fantastic opportunity to embrace the use of AI in telephony. It’s also something that the Social Market Foundation has touched on recently in its report, In the blink of an AI, which has recommended further integration AI and automation into user-facing workstreams.

What benefits could it bring?

The integration of AI in digital telephony for primary care can offer transformative benefits, addressing some of the pressing challenges facing the sector. Integrating technologies such as cloud telephony, unified communications, and AI-enabled healthcare tools, means practices can alleviate the pressure on GPs and other clinicians. By integrating AI-powered features such as voice agents, call routing, speech-to-text, and automated signposting, practices can alleviate the inbound pressure on call handlers while simultaneously improving access. This will also enable practices to accelerate a patient’s time-to-care by offering an assessment of need at the first point of contact, in line with NHS national priorities.

By removing the notorious 8am rush, AI-powered systems can enable more efficient call handling, prioritising urgent cases and directing patients to other appropriate services, such as pharmacy and community, without delay. This enhanced accessibility not only improves patient satisfaction but also fosters better health outcomes by ensuring timely care. Additionally, these streamlined processes reduce administrative burdens and repetitive tasks for staff, creating a more manageable workload and mitigating burnout. Together, these advancements pave the way for a more sustainable, patient-centred approach to primary care.

How do we get patients and clinicians onboard?

The challenge is how do we ensure that patients and clinicians are harmonised with the progress to build their trust?

To build trust among patients is not a simple process, particularly when considering digital poverty, which creates many disparities and makes it harder for people to access the very tools that are designed to help them. Patients value human interaction, especially when discussing health concerns, so AI tools must simplify communication and prioritise empathy in design. Data monitoring is key here, and should be used to help evidence that effective digital tools will also improve access for all, including those less digitally-abled who require human contact.

Patients should not feel intimidated by the use of AI, and it needs to be introduced in a straightforward way, focusing on the benefits in relatable terms. However, transparency of data usage is vital, otherwise we risk the further creation of a two-tier system for those that trust the data and those that do not, also increasing the burden for GP teams and undermining broader population health management strategies.

Patient empowerment means putting AI in their hands and allowing them to self-serve for non-urgent needs, allowing clinicians to focus on more complex patient needs and preventative care. If we can remove the demand before it flows into the practice then it eases the burden immediately.

For clinicians and practice staff, it needs to be clear that AI is an opportunity to reduce the pressure, not a threat to jobs. Clinicians are more likely to trust tools that they understand how to use, so time dedicated to training can demystify the AI’s capabilities and limitations. The tech may be transformative but it needs the support around it and training for staff to make best use of systems already in place, as well as to integrate additional tools such, as Surgery Assist.

Take for example Tudor Lodge, a practice in South-West London that is an early adopter of AI tools. The implemented Surgery Assist, a digital assistant, as part of a wider Access Optimisation Service and the practice has experienced 54 per cent fewer calls in the 8am rush as a direct result. Applied nationally, it is estimated that this service could result in 9.1 million fewer calls received per month by GP surgeries.

Will AI live up to the hype?

One of the questions asked to the discussion panel at X-on Health’s recent AI in primary care event was ‘will it live up to the hype?’ AI is by no means a magic bullet, and it could be said that it is currently not up to the hype, but applied correctly AI has the potential to move primary care forward beyond all expectations.

As referenced by an integrated care board member at the recent X-on AI in primary care event, AI is a tool, not a solution and must be viewed as such. To my mind it’s the correct approach and AI is just one of the tools available to reduce the burden. There is a crisis at the door of primary care and the technology is needed now to help practices survive. Technology cannot simply be layered over inefficient processes; instead, the two need to be addressed hand-in-hand to build trust and preserve the NHS as we enter the AI era.

What are the next steps?

While some GP partners have pushed on, giving lots of their time to self-appraising AI products in the pursuit of improved efficiencies to support their staff, there have been calls for the formation of an AI advisory board or list of approved AI suppliers to expedite procurement and adoption. To further build trust, the technology testing needs approval at a national level and the creation of a framework of consistency is something that is essential. The In the blink of an AI report supports the creation of a strong Digital Centre of Government in the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and recommends that it becomes a one-stop-shop for all public sector AI and automation needs, highlighting tools that are already working and have been successfully implemented.

One thing is clear – if the NHS doesn’t work out how to become agile enough to embrace the technology and build trust quickly then organisations like Google will do, as is clear from the Public First report, AI and the public sector, that was recently commissioned by Google Cloud.

All news

New AI initiative to reduce demand on urgent and emergency care in North East London

By Integrated Care Journal

Thousands of patients across North East London are set to benefit from new initiative, using artificial intelligence (AI) and personalised clinical coaching, easing pressure on NHS services.

NHS North East London Integrated Care System, in collaboration with Health Navigator and UCLPartners, this week (Thursday 12 December) launched a new, three-year programme, providing preventative care for patients with long-term conditions. This comes as urgent and emergency care services in North East London are facing unprecedented pressure and all-time high demand.

Through advanced AI screening technology and targeted, phone-based clinical coaching, patients at high risk of needing unplanned emergency care will be identified and offered personalised support from healthcare professionals trained in delivering preventative care and self-management techniques.

The initiative is designed to identify and better support people with long-term conditions, like asthma, by taking a proactive and preventative approach to healthcare delivery.

Forecasting models estimate that the programme will save 26,673 unplanned bed days in North East London hospitals across the three years of the programme, with an anticipated reduction of 13,000 A&E attendances annually.

Dr Paul Gilluley, Chief Medical Officer at NHS North East London, said: “More than 15 million people in England live with one or more long-term conditions, accounting for 50 per cent of all GP appointments, 64 per cent of outpatient visits, and over 70 per cent of inpatient bed days. This new approach represents a landmark step in harnessing technology for preventative care to better support these patients before they reach crisis points.”

Supported by the largest randomised controlled trial to date on AI-assisted preventative care, the initiative has shown significant impact when piloted in Staffordshire. Notable results include a 46 per cent reduction in deaths among men over 75, a 34 per cent reduction in emergency attendances and 25 per cent reduction in bed days, and a 26 per cent reduction in GP referrals to secondary care, further supporting sustainable healthcare delivery.

Tim, who benefited from clinical coaching when it was piloted in Staffordshire, said of the programme: “If you are brave enough to take control with the help of the coach, you truly can make a difference to the immediate crises as they turn up. In my case I went from being an asthmatic, to someone who happens to have asthma. I went from six admissions to hospital to none within a couple of months.”

Waltham Forest will be the first area to receive this new initiative through Barts Health NHS Trust and Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, with plans to expand across North East London in the coming weeks. The AI technology and clinical coaching will then be implemented throughout the rest of North East London in the coming months.

Shane DeGaris, Group Chief Executive at Barts Health NHS Trust, added: “As winter approaches, the pressure on A&E services is rising. By predicting demand and providing earlier interventions, we can improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on the NHS.”

Dr Chris Laing, Chief Executive Officer of UCLPartners, said: “This project provides a template for how the NHS can use modern technology to deliver predictive, proactive and preventive care that is customised for local communities and prioritises those most in need of our help. Our collaboration with Health Navigator and NHS North East London will not only enhance the lives of at-risk patients but will also relieve critical pressure on our healthcare system too, aligning with the government’s prevention priority.”

Dr Simon Swift, Chief Executive of Health Navigator said: “Our AI-driven technology, combined with personalised clinical coaching, has consistently demonstrated its ability to improve patient lives and shift care, allowing hospitals to be more productive. This collaboration represents a major step forward in proactive, preventative healthcare. We’re confident that this program will enhance the quality of life for patients and contribute to a more efficient and sustainable healthcare system.”

There is no integrated care without cross-sector data sharing

By Hannah Barnett

Integrated care systems strive to provide seamless, equitable healthcare by coordinating services, but fragmented data sharing remains a major challenge. Strong data partnerships are vital for continuous care, addressing health inequities, and optimising resources. Yet, technology, governance, and collaboration gaps hinder progress, disconnecting patients and providers.

Why data sharing matters in integrated care systems

The success of integrated care systems (ICS) relies on robust, strategic data sharing across multiple care settings. Effective data partnerships enable more coordinated and continuous care, empower population health management and self-care, tackle health and access inequalities, and drive informed resource allocation.

In today’s diverse, fragmented healthcare system, patients often navigate multiple providers across sectors. However, their data does not always follow, and this is disempowering as much as it is frustrating. Many ICSs still lag in adopting comprehensive data sharing practices and infrastructures, posing a significant barrier to achieving greater system efficiency, transparency, and supporting patients effectively.

Current limitations in data sharing practices

When data sharing does occur, it often flows in one direction. For example, NHS commissioners frequently rely on activity and service-user data provided by Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations or primary care network (PCN) systems data to evaluate the impact of funding. This narrow focus excludes data on service users’ interactions with other health and care services, creating blind spots in patient outcomes and hidden needs, while undervaluing how these services reduce pressure on the broader system.

Comprehensive data sharing partnerships could transform this dynamic, enabling full tracking of patient pathways and better identifying access inequities across services and sectors. This shift would not only improve service delivery and resource allocation but also foster shared purpose and cross-sector accountability, while promoting consistent data collection and truly evidence-based evaluation practices.

Overcoming barriers to consistent and effective data sharing

Achieving this vision requires overcoming several cultural, technological, operational, and legal challenges. Patient data remains fragmented across multiple management systems, complicating access, aggregation, and sharing. While some advocate for a unified data capture system, the diversity of digital maturity across delivery partners makes this impractical. Instead, ICSs should prioritise system interoperability and shared care platforms, the latter being widely considered the cornerstone of integrated data sharing. When anonymised and aggregated, these shared databases become invaluable resources for population health management by enabling healthcare leaders to identify and anticipate care gaps across geographies and demographics.

All technical advancements, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), must be accompanied by centralised guidance on data collection, coding standards, and sharing agreements. Currently, many providers hesitate to share patient data due to confidentiality concerns and unclear information governance, GDPR or AI guidelines, which often vary across contracts and care settings. Clear protocols and governance structures are essential to balance privacy requirements with healthcare planning needs, ensuring both patient confidentiality and system efficiency. A cohesive system with transparent data processes would not only build public trust in data use but also reduce the frustration and fatigue patients often experience when navigating multiple disconnected care providers. Such structures must be clearly communicated to patients as the primary owners of their data.

Relationships, capacity, and power diffusion

Despite government mandates, limited progress in ICS investment in data infrastructure reveals the persistent barriers posed by entrenched organisational cultures and practices. As the King’s Fund observed in a 2022 report, “Good technology is not enough for interoperability to succeed; relationships between staff and organisations are vital for success.” Persistent power imbalances within ICSs can undermine enthusiasm for data sharing partnerships, especially when the benefits of integration appear unclear or unevenly distributed.

To foster trust and collaboration, health, social care, and voluntary sector leaders must work as equal partners in planning and delivering services. By setting, understanding, and contributing to shared priorities and agendas, all sectors would be mutually recognised as key contributors to progress. This approach would also increase buy-in for data collection at the local level, ensuring that digital infrastructures are viewed as enablers of collaboration rather than isolated technologies.

Many health and care providers currently lack the capacity or funding to dedicate staff time to data collection. Short-term contracts further limit incentives to build data sharing capabilities or use data beyond immediate funding requirements. Longer-term contracts would support consistent delivery, sustainability, and capacity building across sectors, while substantially reducing data fragmentation. Building a sustainable ecosystem requires trust and ongoing investment through collaborative, long-term partnerships, rather than transactional, repeated contracting cycles.

The NHS must lead this transformation by embedding information technology, governance, AI, and analytics at the heart of system implementation while supporting partners with varying levels of digital maturity. This includes equipping the workforce with the technical skills required to effectively collect and utilise data. Recognising the current strain on workforce capacity, the NHS must leverage resources and time for upskilling (including from its own suppliers), and ensure the transition is backed by ongoing investments in accessible analytics.

Conclusion

As patient pathways become increasingly dispersed across care settings, robust and proportionate data sharing infrastructure grows more essential for tackling health inequities, streamlining cross-sector resource allocation, and empowering the system to better empower patients. A sustained commitment to technological and cultural innovation, coupled with workforce upskilling will reshape how providers collaborate and deliver care, enhancing population health outcomes and building a more responsive, equitable healthcare system.

Scaling the workforce to meet MSK demand is unrealistic. We need new solutions

By Finn Stevenson

Digital pathways can transform access to care and ensure that those with the greatest need receive the care their conditions require, writes Finn Stevenson, Co-Founder and CEO of Flok Health.

According to recent projections, more than 7.2 million Brits will be living in chronic pain by 2040. With almost a million people already forced out of work due to musculoskeletal (MSK) issues, the welfare bill for back pain alone currently stands at £1.4 billion a year.

As our population ages and demand for treatment increases, one of the key challenges policymakers face is how to ensure patients can continue to access the care they need. With waiting lists for MSK treatment up 27 per cent from January 2023 to March 2024, we need to do more to deliver timely care to those who need it.

Hiring and training more physiotherapists can help make MSK treatment more accessible. It’s no secret that the workforce as it stands is chronically understaffed, and senior figures from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), along with politicians, have underlined the need to boost training and recruitment in the service. Since coming to power in July, Labour has already announced that it will be publishing a new Long Term Workforce Plan in 2025, with leaders signalling their ambition to go beyond the previous government’s commitments on NHS training and recruitment.

But it’s naive to think that simply hiring more people will be enough to service soaring MSK demand. As it stands, staff are so overstretched that the NHS would need to increase the number of physiotherapy positions in England by at least 7 per cent every year, just to keep up with current demand. Reaching this target seems unfeasible, especially considering the fact that physiotherapist numbers in the NHS increased by just 4 per cent from 2022 to 2023, and by only 0.7 per cent the year before. In fact, data collated by the CSP reveals that the annual rise in staffing levels has consistently fallen short of the required 7 per cent, with the largest increase in NHS physiotherapists across the last seven years standing at just 5.2 per cent, in 2019-2020.

With this in mind, it’s clear that any drive to hire and train more colleagues must come alongside a commitment to find new, innovative ways to improve patients’ access to MSK care.

Digital pathways can transform access to care

In September 2024, there were almost 350,000 people on MSK waiting lists in England, with some being forced to wait months to begin treatment. Not only is this frustrating for patients, it can also exacerbate their health problems. Studies show that longer wait times can lead to worsening pain, increased risk of disability, and a hugely detrimental effect on mental health and quality of life. By integrating novel digital pathways, we can deliver care to these patients as soon as they seek help, reducing the risk of deterioration, and accelerating recovery.

Effective digital pathways are already out there. At Flok Health, for example, we’ve developed the UK’s first AI physiotherapist, delivering at-home MSK appointments in a CQC-approved digital clinic on behalf of the NHS. Our system allows patients to be triaged, assessed and treated through a smartphone app, without ever having to wait for a traditional appointment.

Data from the work we’ve done so far shows that 94 per cent of patients describe their experience using Flok’s automated pathway as being “better” or “the same as” the care they would expect to receive from a human physio, with 88 per cent reporting that their symptoms had improved as a result of AI treatment. Crucially, all of these patients were able to access same-day care, with 24/7 appointment availability.

AI-operated digital pathways can also offer major benefits to clinicians. Managing high volume pathways (like back pain) in an AI clinic frees up capacity in the traditional services, allowing staff to focus on the cases where face-to-face appointments matter most. This alleviates pressure on the workforce and ensures those with the greatest need receive the dedicated time and resources that their conditions require.

Bringing care to the community

Another way to improve patient access to treatment is to extend MSK services out into new community settings. There are examples up and down the country where local Trusts have found innovative ways to meet their patients closer to home.

Sussex MSK Partnership introduced community appointment days (CADs) in non-clinical settings in a bid to deliver more scalable care and improve outcomes. These CADs act as a one-stop shop where patients can discuss their health issues with staff, before accessing a range of clinical solutions and other community services. The results of this programme were hugely encouraging, with 50 per cent of attendees discharged immediately and just one third requiring follow-up appointments. On top of this, waiting times for MSK treatment saw a 5-week cut, while staff morale was boosted as a result of seeing the immediate impact of their work.

Time to embrace change

In most NHS settings today, all patients with MSK conditions are funnelled down the same pathway for face-to-face appointments, leading to enormous backlogs, overburdened staff, and compromised care. Training and recruiting more MSK staff is of course important, but insufficient. Solving these issues will mean offering patients a choice of different care pathways. By running novel services like Flok’s AI clinic and Trust-run CADs alongside traditional pathways, we can transform patient access and outcomes while freeing up capacity in the existing services. These newer forms of care delivery are also significantly more scalable and resource-efficient than traditional models, which in today’s NHS is more important than ever.

Local authorities join initiative providing digital support to carers

By Integrated Care Journal

1 million carers across England are benefiting from tech-powered support, as 1 in 4 (25 per cent) local authorities across the country have joined an initiative providing essential, digital services for all those who look after loved ones in their communities over the course of this year.

Nine local authorities across Cheshire and Merseyside have become the latest to join a new initiative aiming to provide digital support to carers. The service is being delivered by carer-led digital community, Mobilise, and can be accessed remotely via Mobilise’s online hub by anyone caring for a loved one in regions where local authorities are participating in the initiative.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to promote and provide services to unpaid carers in their area, to put support the wellbeing of carers and reduce the risk of carer burnout.

The digital support services include:

An online peer community of thousands of fellow carers from across the UK – with the chance to share advice and experiences through a community forum and during regular events, such as the ‘virtual cuppa’
Easy-to-use, self-service tools outlining the different forms of support which carers may be entitled to – including Carer’s Allowance – and guidance on how to navigate eligibility criteria and access various benefits
Tailor-made support guides on everything from how to balance caring with full-time work, to managing personal health and wellbeing while looking after someone else
Information on carers’ rights and relevant social care law, in line with the latest government guidance

An AI-powered ‘assistant’ is also available to help carers quickly and easily find the specific information, resources or support that they need.

Cheshire and Merseyside is home to some of the UK’s highest density areas of unpaid carers, with more than one in ten residents living in St Helens, Knowsley and Halton providing some form of unpaid care.

“It’s reassuring to know that my experience as an ‘unofficial’ carer for my husband is valued, and that there is support and advice available from Mobilise if and when I need it.”

Sheila Walsh, a carer in St. Helen’s

Chair of the Adults and Health Committee at Cheshire East Council, Councillor Jill Rhodes, said: “By joining this initiative, we’re taking a significant step towards recognising and supporting the invaluable contribution of our local carers. The Mobilise digital tool will empower unpaid carers to access the help they need, when they need it.”

Cheshire and Merseyside councils follow thirteen local authorities in the North East, who joined the same initiative earlier this year through a similar collaboration. This saw over a quarter of a million carers living in the North East alone gain access to additional digital support. The North East is home to the largest proportion of people supporting relatives or loved ones in any region across the UK.

With Cheshire and Merseyside onboard, a total of 38 local authorities across England have provided added support for carers so far this year as part of the tech-enabled initiative with Mobilise, on top of existing provision. The free on-demand services are aimed at supporting individuals across the UK with the day-to-day realities of caring.

Suzanne Bourne, Co-Founder and Head of Carer Support at Mobilise, commented: “It is amazing to see all nine local authorities across Cheshire and Merseyside coming together to harness the power of technology, and widen access to support for unpaid carers. They join many other local authorities across England in this mission. And, with Cheshire and Merseyside onboard, a quarter of all local authorities across England are now providing additional, digital support for carers. We can’t wait to see the impact for all those who provide care across Cheshire and Merseyside, and beyond.”

Councillor Del Arnall, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Knowsley Council, said: “Through joining this initiative, carers in Knowsley can use Mobilise to easily access a range of support services on-demand and link in with their peers across the UK to share advice and reduce isolation.”

For more information about the support now available in Cheshire and Merseyside, see here. To start accessing support today, the Mobilise app can be downloaded via the Apple App Store or Google Play, with more information available on Mobilise’s website.

London’s Universal Care Plan recognised for support to care for sickle cell disease

By Integrated Care Journal

Use of digital care plans for sickle cell disease hailed for giving healthcare providers visibility of patients’ unique medical history and preferences, enabling more compassionate and personalised care.

The introduction of the Universal Care Plan, OneLondon’s shared care planning solution powered by Better, has been hailed as a key improvement in the care of sickle cell patients, a group historically disadvantaged by misconceptions and poor-quality care.

The personalised care plan is designed to address individual patient needs, ensuring that preferences are documented in advance, which is particularly crucial for those who may experience severe pain and struggle to advocate for themselves.

Dr Subarna Chakravorty, Consultant Haematologist at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust made the comments during a recent event in London for Better’s user community. Dr Subarna, added: “What matters to the patient should be just as important as the medical diagnosis itself.”

The Universal Care Plan facilitates seamless access to essential patient information for healthcare providers, ensuring that critical details, such as oxygen saturation levels, are readily available during treatment. Developed with input from patients, the plan employs the ACT acronym—Analgesia, Compassion, and Trigger Testing—to guide providers in delivering appropriate care.

While currently available only within London, there is a drive to extend digitalised care plans for people with Sickle Cell Disease nationally, supported by training programmes for healthcare professionals to ensure effective use of the system. The project represents a collaborative effort to enhance the quality of care for sickle cell patients and sets a precedent for similar improvements in other areas of healthcare.

During the event, Solome Mealin, a PhD student and patient advocate, shared a deeply personal account of her battle with sickle cell disease, emphasising the vital role technology can play in improving care. “All I’ve known is pain, every day,” she said, recalling her experiences where, in the midst of a sickle cell crisis, her only lifeline was an off-duty nurse who understood her condition. Desperate and in agony, Solome had to rely on this nurse to call her colleagues at the hospital to ensure she received the correct care.

“One of the hardest things is not always being listened to by healthcare professionals. They say things like, ‘it can’t be that painful,’ leaving you feeling alone and helpless,” Solome explained, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of constantly having to advocate for herself.
Solome stressed the importance of personalised digital care plans, which give doctors immediate access to critical patient information, even in unfamiliar settings. “Every time I move or even go on holiday, I have to think about whether there will be a hospital nearby that understands my condition,” she explained.

With accessible digital care plans, healthcare providers can offer more consistent, compassionate care by understanding her unique medical history and preferences. “I believe that with better care plans and universal support for conditions like sickle cell, we can truly transform patients’ lives,” Solome said, her message clear: better systems mean better futures for countless people like her.

Dr Subarna and Solome were joined by the Head of the Universal Care Plan programme, Nick Tigere, during a panel discussion on the plan which highlighted the importance of collaboration between clinicians and digital systems, particularly in prioritising care needs for conditions like sickle cell disease. The panel stressed the necessity of incorporating clinician and patient feedback into the Universal Care Plan pathways to enhance usability and effectiveness and the plan’s utility, particularly during urgent care scenarios.

Looking forward, Nick Tigere confirmed plans to measure the UCP’s impact on patient outcomes, aiming to continue learning and sharing insights with integrated care systems (ICSs) throughout the UK.

Half of UK adults struggling to access trusted health information, report finds

By Integrated Care Journal

Research by PIF and Ipsos reveals inequalities in access to health information and the impact of misinformation, calling for greater signposting towards credible health information.

The Patient Information Forum (PIF) and Ipsos have today published new research into health information access across the UK. The Knowledge is Power report offers new insights on information access, trusted sources, communication with healthcare professionals and the impact of misinformation on patient awareness of health.

The report is based on a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of 2,003 adults in the UK from May to June 2024 using the Ipsos KnowledgePanel.

It reveals the demand for the NHS to signpost trusted information and wide support for the verification of health information.

Key findings include:

Half of adults in the UK are struggling to access trusted health information, with 55 per cent feeling they cannot trust health information they find online
1 in 10 adults in the UK have been affected by misinformation, rising to 1 in 5 for ethnic minorities
8 in 10 adults in the UK agree access to trusted health information would help them manage their health
1 in 6 say adults in the UK say their views are not taken seriously by their health professional. This rises to 1 in 4 for ethnic minorities
Only 1 in 10 adults with long term conditions in the UK are signposted to patient organisations, yet these are highly trusted by their users
2 in 3 adults in the UK state independent verification of health information would increase trust
There is already recognition of the PIF TICK – the UK’s only independently-assessed certification for both print and digital health information – among the UK population

Melissa Moodley, UK Head of Healthcare Research, Ipsos, said: “This timely research reveals a critical gap in access to trustworthy health information, with half of UK adults struggling to find reliable sources. This challenge is particularly acute for those with long-term conditions and minority groups.

“The impact is clear: 8 in 10 adults believe better access to credible health information would improve their health management. These findings underscore the urgent need to improve the provision of verified, accessible health information. Doing so is not just beneficial, but essential for enhancing overall health outcomes across the UK.”

Knowledge is Power makes five recommendations on the right to health information, aligned with the three shifts proposed in the NHS 10-year plan. In summary they are:

A right to health information – Health information is provided as a core part of patient care
Tackle misinformation – Through robust content standards and effective signposting of credible health information via health professionals and the NHS Apps
Tackle inequality – Health information must be accessible and appropriate for all
Lived experience as a metric – Embedding patient experience as a measure of NHS performance using the NHS Apps and single patient record
Dedicated leadership – A mandate for the effective delivery of health information with a named lead in all NHS organisations

Sue Farrington, chair of PIF, said: “Credible information supports people’s health decisions, from childhood vaccinations to joint replacement surgery. For people with long term conditions, it is a core element of care.

“Our 2024 survey gives a clear view of how people want to access health information and the challenges they face. Resolving these issues will ensure everyone gets the information they need, supporting the prevention agenda and contributing to the delivery of positive health outcomes for all.”

View the full Knowledge is Power report here.

Public Policy Projects’ Patient Safety Programme

In partnership with the UK-based charity, Patient Safety Learning, Public Policy Projects (PPP) is developing a new programme, Harnessing technology to enable a system wide approach to patient safety, to position patient safety as a core purpose of integrated care systems. The programme is taking a collaborative approach, bringing together health system leaders, industry experts and patient/end-user representatives to discuss patient safety through the lens of technology, digital innovation and data-driven transformation.

To find out more about the programme and to register for the next roundtable, Safety design and user engagement: the power of digitally enabled people, please visit the website here or contact Samantha Semmeling on samantha.semmeling@publicpolicyprojects.com.