We’re transforming how data moves across the health and care system. By reducing duplication and streamlining data pipelines, we’re making sure vital information reaches the people who need it—faster, more consistently and more securely.

What we’re doing

The data flows transformation programme makes better use of existing technology to:

• reduce the reporting burden on healthcare providers
• collect data once and use it many times
• improve how quickly data can be accessed and used
• build stronger foundations for wider data and analytics transformation across the NHS

Our goal is simple: make NHS data work better for patients, staff and the entire system.

How it works

We use consistent formats and automated processes across NHS organisations. This reduces manual work and makes data submissions more straightforward for providers, while creating a fuller picture of NHS activity. By combining recent updates with historical data, we support better decision-making at local, regional and national levels.

How we protect privacy

We maintain strict access controls with formal approval processes. Data is minimised by default, with full audit logs tracking all access. Data is never used for commercial advertising, credit scoring or monitoring individuals outside approved care and operational purposes.

When we publish statistics, we only use aggregate, non-identifying data to inform the public and stakeholders about NHS performance.

What the data is used for

NHS providers, integrated care systems and authorised NHS England teams use this data for approved purposes that improve planning, quality and transparency. All use is governed by strict controls.

Typical uses include:

• Operational planning and monitoring – tracking admissions, discharges, bed occupancy and waiting lists to match staffing, adjust capacity and manage day-to-day pressures (for example, monitoring activity levels during industrial action)
• Capacity and flow insights – identifying bottlenecks across acute, community and virtual wards, and supporting action to reduce delayed discharges
• Quality and safety surveillance – monitoring variation and early warning indicators to support escalation, assurance and service improvement
• Public reporting – publishing transparent statistics on utilisation and timeliness trends at national, regional and ICS levels (identifiable information is never used)
• Research and evaluation – approved projects using de-identified data in secure environments to assess what works and evaluate service changes

Current and planned collections in data flows transformation

• Acute Healthcare Operational Data Flows (Acute HODF) – collects daily information on admissions, discharges, inpatients and outpatients, helping to replace the Acute Discharge SitRep and give a clearer picture of hospital flow
• Community Healthcare Operational Data Flows (Community HODF) – collects daily information on community admissions, discharges, waiting lists and patient contacts, reducing the need for local SitReps and improving visibility of activity in community services
• Virtual Wards Minimum Data Set (VW MDS) – provides daily information on beds occupied and activity within virtual wards, replacing older SitReps and supporting the safe expansion of virtual ward services
• Local Costing Collection (from 2027) – will capture annual cost data across acute, community, ambulance and mental health services to support financial planning, benchmarking and service improvement