NHS: Databases
(asked on 19th June 2026) - View Source
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard, (a) how many algorithmic tools deployed through the NHS Federated Data Platform have been assessed as falling within the mandatory scope of that standard, (b) how many such records have been published on the GOV.UK register, and (c) what the timetable is for any outstanding records to be published.
The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) safely connects information from different systems across the National Health Service into a single, secure environment. This allows staff to co-ordinate care better to improve outcomes for patients.
The NHS FDP is delivering for the NHS, helping people get the care they need quicker and more efficiently. Since March 2024, more than 100,000 additional patients have been supported to undergo procedures in theatres partly by increasing theatre utilisation. Nearly 94,000 people have been supported on their cancer journey, with 7% seeing a reduction in the time it took to diagnose their cancer. There has been a 14% decrease in delays discharging patients staying in hospital for more than seven days, freeing up beds for those who need them most. NHS England publishes quarterly information on benefits realised from the FDP, which is available at the following link:
As of the end of May 2026, 170 trusts have signed up for the NHS FDP, including the Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust.
One algorithmic tool deployed through the NHS FDP has been assessed as within the scope of the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) and submitted to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s ATRS team.
No records relating to algorithmic tools deployed through the NHS FDP have yet been published on the GOV.UK website’s ATRS register. NHS England continues to engage with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on next steps. No timetable for publication has yet been agreed.