The Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) began roll-out to NHS trusts in April 2024, following a pilot phase which began in 2022. The NHS FDP is a software platform that enables NHS organisations to bring together operational data, which is currently stored in separate systems. This supports staff to access the information they need in one safe and secure environment and use it to improve how they work and deliver care for patients.

The NHS FDP is available for all trusts in England.

What the data shows

This data presents a quarterly snapshot of information about:

• the uptake of the NHS FDP across NHS hospital trusts
• the uptake, impacts or benefits being realised using NHS FDP nationally commissioned, locally developed products

Data on this page is updated quarterly. The next update will be in January 2025.

Uptake: NHS FDP use

39 – number of NHS hospital trusts that are on the NHS FDP*

* The number of NHS hospital trusts that are on the NHS FDP and reporting benefits from nationally commissioned, locally developed products, as at end of June 2024.

See a list of all the NHS trusts live with NHS FDP that are experiencing benefits.

NHS FDP nationally commissioned, locally developed products uptake and impact

Nationally commissioned, locally developed products are available for use by trusts with an instance of the NHS FDP.

Impact or benefits figures are aggregate statistics from across all trusts that use the product.

Inpatients Care Coordination Solution

The Inpatients Care Coordination Solution (CSS) tool flags entries in the waiting list for further investigation, based on an agreed set of criteria. This functionality helps clinical teams identify which patient entries no longer need to be included and can be safely removed from the waiting list, ensuring that the correct patients receive the necessary care and attention. This product also aids with theatre scheduling, ensuring that clinicians have the data they need to prioritise patients with the most urgent needs and book slots for surgery.

Please follow the below links for case studies that describe in more detail the impact this product is having on the speed of patient treatment at trusts deploying the solution:

• NHS England » New technology cutting waiting times for patients in Dorset
• NHS England » Patients being seen faster in South London
• NHS England » Staff time savings and more surgeries for patients in North Cumbria

Uptake: trusts using Inpatient CCS

33 – trusts using the product across a total of 15 treatment specialties*

* Total number of NHS hospital trusts realising benefits from using the Inpatient CCS product, as at end of June 2024.

Impact: increasing the number of inpatients that can be treated in hospital theatres

114 – average increase in the number of inpatients treated in theatres, per month, per trust*

* Average increase in the number of inpatients treated in theatres, per month, per trust. The monthly average relates to the period from the start of the NHS FDP programme until end of June 2024.

Impact: safely removing patients from the inpatient waitlist who are no longer waiting for treatment

68,317 – total number of patients safely requested for removal from the waitlist*

* Total number of patients safely requested for removal from the waitlist, since any trust began using the Inpatient product. The number refers to the period from the start of the NHS FDP programme until end of June 2024

Broader benefits of using this product include

• Identification of patients who have been waiting the longest so they can be given attention.
• Identifying currently under-used theatre sessions means resources can be used more efficiently and effectively.
• Reduction in the amount of time staff spent on waiting list administration for administrators, managers and clinicians. Clinical staff can be freed up to support the care of patients.
• Patients who no longer require treatment are safely removed so that attention and prioritisation can be given to those patients who do still require treatment.

Outpatients Care Coordination Solution

This product provides waiting list validation and data quality tools. The Outpatient Care Coordination Solution (CCS) product flags entries in the waitlist for further investigation, based on an agreed set of criteria. This allows teams to identify which patient entries no longer need to be included, for example if the patient is deceased or there is a duplicate entry. These waiting list entries can then be safely removed from the waiting list by clinicians, ensuring that the correct patients are listed and then receive the necessary care and attention.

Uptake: trusts using Outpatient CCS

14 – number of NHS hospital trusts realising benefits from using the NHS FDP Outpatient CCS product*

* Number of NHS hospital trusts realising benefits from using the NHS FDP Outpatient CCS product, as at end of June 2024.

Impact: safely removing patients from the outpatient waitlist who should no longer be there

200,809 – total number of patients safely requested for removal from the waitlist*

* Total number of patients safely requested for removal from the waitlist, since any trust began using the outpatient product. Number refers to the period from the start of the NHS FDP programme until end of June 2024.

Broader benefits of use of this product include

• Easier identification of which patients have been waiting the longest so action can be taken to ensure they are given attention
• Reduction in the amount of time staff spent on waiting list administration
• Clinical staff can be freed up to support the care of patients
• Patients can be provided with more reliable information on when their out-patient appointment will take place
• Increase in responsiveness when slots become free at short notice (e.g. patient cancellation), reducing the risk of wasted clinic slots or duplicate/unnecessary outpatient appointments

Referral to treatment (RTT) validation tool

In England, under the NHS Constitution, patients ‘have the right to access certain services commissioned by NHS bodies within maximum waiting times, or for the NHS to take all reasonable steps to offer a range of suitable alternative providers if this is not possible’.

NHS England collects and publishes monthly referral to treatment (RTT) data which is used to monitor NHS waiting times performance against the standards set out in the National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups. Read more about Referral to treatment.

This product supports NHS staff to better manage the waiting list of patients who have been referred for non-urgent care. A period validation is a check that actions have been taken so that patients move along their care pathway, in line with NHS standards. This supports patients to be seen in a timely way and supports up to date communications to be sent to both the patient and health providers (e.g. GPs) regarding the outcomes and any future care needs.

Referral to treatment waiting times monitor the length of time from referral through to elective treatment. The RTT validation product provides a near-real time list of patients, that all clinical teams can access and view. Teams are then able to work together to identify delays in patient pathways and provide the necessary pre-procedure checks and post-care assessment activities. This has led to improved efficiency and time savings, with operational teams able to track more pathways and support better prioritisation of patients.

Uptake: trusts using Referral to Treatment validation product

9 – number of NHS hospital trusts realising benefits from using the Referral to Treatment validation tool*

* Number of NHS hospital trusts realising benefits from using the Referral to Treatment validation tool, as at end of June 2024.

Impact: Increasing checks that the right actions have been taken along the patient’s care pathway, in line with NHS standards

734,846 – total number of records that have been reviewed using the RTT validation product*

* Total number of records that have been reviewed using the RTT validation product, to make sure that people are on the right waiting list for their treatment needs. Number refers to the period from the start of the programme until end of June 2024.

136,400 – total number of people who have been removed from the waiting list for a number of reasons*

* Total number of people who have been removed from the waiting list for a number of reasons. This includes patients who have been treated for the condition they were referred, who may have returned to primary care for GP-led treatment or whose condition may have improved so they do not need further care. It also includes patients who may have changed their mind about treatment, moved out of the country or decided to access private care. Number refers to the period from the start of the programme until end of June 2024.