Using data to tackle NHS and social care pressures in the South West

Two new research projects will help the NHS and councils in the South West improve how patients move through the health and care system. The projects could help ease pressure on both NHS services and social care by shedding light on what happens when patients leave hospital. 

One project will develop tools to support decision making about discharging patients. The second aims to design better pathways for patients leaving hospital. Both will use routinely collected hospital data and are supported by NHS organisations and universities in the region. 

The Improving Patient Outcomes with Discharge Decision Support (IPODDS) project is led by the University of Bristol and the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (BNSSG ICB).  

IPODDS aims to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict a patient’s risk of readmission to hospital. This will enable evidence-based conversations between health and social care professionals and patients on post-discharge support and how to reduce readmission risk. 

The Improving Patient Flow between Acute, Community and Social Care (IPACS) project is led by the Universities of Exeter and Bath and BNSSG ICB. 

IPACS uses computer modelling to simulate hospital discharge pathways for patients with complex needs. In this project, the software tool, already in use in BNSSG, will be rolled out across South West health systems. It will help hospital managers estimate things like bed occupancy, number of patients with a discharge delay, number of days waiting for discharge and total system costs. 

From March, both projects will use data held within the new NHS Secure Data Environment for the South West. These two pilot projects are the first to use the platform, which is being developed to the highest security standards. The NIHR ARC West is involved in developing this new platform.

Secure Data Environments, or SDEs, are online platforms for accredited researchers to safely analyse sensitive data for approved projects. NHS England is funding development of 11 regional Secure Data Environments.  

SDEs are an innovative and transparent approach to conducting research, while maximising privacy and security. Data held in SDEs is depersonalised. This means any personally identifiable information, such as names, addresses and NHS numbers, is removed before the researcher accesses it.  

Dr Rachel Denholm, Research Lead for the South West SDE and Epidemiologist and Health Service Researcher at the University of Bristol, said: 

“I am delighted that the South West SDE is getting off the ground with these two pilot projects. The deeper understanding of complex discharge pathways and decision making that they will bring could help reduce waiting lists in the region in the longer term. 

“These two projects are great examples of the kind of important research that NHS SDEs will enable. Without being able to look at data across the system, this kind of analysis just wouldn’t be possible. We hope they demonstrate what’s possible and the benefits the South West SDE can bring.” 

The South West SDE is fortunate to benefit from the input of three Digital Critical Friends. They are members of the public trained in digital and data approaches in healthcare. This gives them the confidence and expertise to give their perspectives on South West SDE’s plans. 

The Digital Critical Friends are members of the South West SDE’s management and leadership boards. They make decisions alongside health, social care and academic colleagues.  

Amanda, Digital Critical Friend, said: 

“As a member of the public I’m very excited about this project. Three members of the public have been involved from the very early days. We have been able to fully participate in discussion and decision making, as a critical friend. I believe this is a step forward in safely and securely using our health data to benefit the NHS.” 

See the South West Secure Data Environment website for more information.