Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how they are making use of AI to detect abnormal levels of patient outcomes across hospital trusts.

The Federated Data Platform (FDP) is a data and workflow platform, that includes some artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Some products and analytical tools running on or connected to the platform may use predictive analytics, machine learning or other advanced analytical techniques where appropriate safeguards are in place. It also supports earlier identification of operational pressures and risks through near real-time visibility of demand, capacity, flow and performance.

One specific example is the Maternity Outcomes Signal System which is migrating to the FDP. This uses near real-time data to indicate higher than expected rates of stillbirth, neonatal death and brain injury, allowing more timely action to be taken when standards deteriorate. This delivers on a recommendation in Bill Kirkup’s report on maternity and neonatal services in East Kent and has been developed with his input.

The 10-Year Health Plan also stipulates that we will establish a national AI-led early warning capability through the FDP. This future capability will analyse data to help identify where quality issues may be emerging across the National Health Service, providing additional insight to support the Care Quality Commission and other relevant bodies in identifying areas that may warrant further review.