The power of data is often overlooked in the wider context of the NHS when compared to technological innovation and advancements in medicine but having access to the right data at the right time can help to make those informed decisions that save lives.

Our data strategy aims to revolutionise the way technology, data and information are used to transform the delivery of England’s health and social care services.

This ambitious plan is structured around five key priorities, to ensure that every citizen’s data is protected; to establish shared architecture and standards for the benefit of everyone; to implement services to meet national and local needs; to support organisations to get the best from technology, data and information, and finally to make better use of health and care information. 

In order to achieve this, we need to look to the future and embrace new technologies and new ways of thinking.

Artificial intelligence (AI), for example, has the potential to transform the way in which we use data in the NHS, giving our customers more opportunity to find and appropriately access what they are looking for.

There has been a huge increase in the use of AI as funding and the research base around it increases, and computer power and data improves. The last few years has seen an acceleration of AI applications emerging in healthcare with some already being trialled in care settings. 

This could allow clinicians, researchers and commissioners to better navigate access to specific data to help them improve NHS services in the future. With the technology’s potential to process more data than humans, it offers the opportunity to support decision-making in health.

Overcoming data obstacles and building for the future

However, there will be both ethical and technical challenges around the use of Big Data and AI. In whose interests does the AI make the decision in favour of? How will poor data be handled? How do we monitor it and make sure that it is safe?

At NHS Digital, we are part of a cross-government collaboration on data science analytics delivery to share experience, good practice and algorithmic ideas, creating a cohesive strategy for data science and partnered projects. Together these issues can be tackled as we learn from each other’s experience. 

We’ve come on in leaps and bounds since we got together last year with projects to better understand our most challenging datasets, understanding day access, predict unnecessary A&E attendances and dementia prediction models in the population. 

One of our biggest challenges is around opening up our data, simplifying how the public and academia can access it, speeding the process up. Last year alone, the number of data requests doubled.

We are developing a cognitive AI avatar which will increase efficiency and improve customer engagement in the DARS process. The avatar will be able to interact and respond to anything that falls within the parameters of its programmed rules and conversational cues, while learning with every chat. Although we are only at proof of concept stage at the moment, the potential is fantastic, as the volume of enquiries increase.

What we need to remember, though, is that with all the exciting opportunities that these emerging technologies present, first and foremost, we need to communicate the benefits to our patients and maintain their trust.

The purpose of this work, and the creativity and dedication that it entails, is to help patients and staff on the front line, improving care. As long as we keep that in mind, we have the chance to build an NHS that is able to be an innovative leader for years to come.