Meet the network of data experts looking to solve the UK’s most pressing health and care challenges The Health Foundation announces that five partner organisations have joined its Networked Data Lab

The Health Foundation has today announced that five partner organisations have joined its Networked Data Lab, a national network of data experts who are working to address some of the biggest challenges facing the UK’s health and care services today. 

The Networked Data Lab, created by the independent charity the Health Foundation, is the first network of its kind, bringing together analytical teams from across the country to develop a deeper understanding of the factors affecting people’s health in the UK. It will focus on today’s most pressing challenges, such as understanding how to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable people who are shielding or identifying the unmet need of those with severe mental illness.

While there is already a wealth of data which could be used to paint a clearer picture of the UK’s health needs – including from GPs, hospitals and local authorities – this information is often very fragmented and does not capture all of the health and care services that people are likely to experience. 

The Networked Data Lab’s partners are already successfully linking data locally, and by combining their expertise, knowledge and experience, the Health Foundation is aiming to create unique insights.

These will help national and local decision makers to better understand the needs of their community, improve services and design innovative approaches to delivering care.

The five partner organisations are:

• The Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science (ACHDS) which includes NHS Grampian and the University of Aberdeen  
• Public Health Wales, NHS Wales Informatics Service (NWIS), Swansea University (SAIL Databank) and Social Care Wales (SCW) 
• Imperial College Health Partners (ICHP), Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI), Imperial College London (ICL), and North West London CCGs 
• Liverpool CCG, Healthy Wirral Partnership and Citizens Advice Bureau
• Leeds CCG and Leeds City Council   

Sarah Deeny, Assistant Director of Data Analytics at the Health Foundation, explains:

'What has been clear throughout the COVID-19 crisis, is that high-quality and comprehensive data and information are often the key to solving our most pressing health and care issues. Data has played a fundamental role in understanding the challenges presented by the virus and in finding innovative ways to solve problems. But these complex challenges extend beyond the current crisis – the same innovation will be needed in future to ensure that health and care services meet people’s needs.'

The Networked Data Lab will also share freely the learnings and the code used for analysis, for others to use, to achieve impact at national and local level.

Media contact

Simon Perry
Simon.Perry@health.org.uk
020 7257 2093