Researchers are supporting a No 10-led project analysing how the NHS manages patient referrals, using anonymised records from the Yorkshire and Humber Secure Data Environment (SDE), part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The scheme aims to track patient journeys from initial GP referral through to specialist care using real-world data to inform improvements in the system.
John Birkinshaw of Connected Bradford said: “We are thrilled to be able to support this request and look forward to working with other customers in the future as we continue to build on our unique, secure data sets to help with progress.
“Information is key to change and improvements, and we have years of collected data here at the SDE which can be stored, pseudonymised and analysed safely.”
Connected Bradford, part of the SDE, is currently the only research database in England linking GP records with hospital electronic health data.
It contains more than 40 years of information from 1.4 million patients across Bradford and neighbouring areas, offering a detailed view of patient journeys and healthcare interactions.
In addition to medical records, the database also links in information from other sectors, including education, housing, and environmental data such as air quality.
This broader context could help researchers understand the wider factors that influence health and the demand for specialist care.
The No 10 Data Science Team and Connected Bradford are now collaborating to produce early findings within the next few months.
The ability to securely link and analyse this depth of data is what made the Bradford-based SDE a unique partner for the project.
This partnership aims to create evidence-based insights for policy development at the highest level of government, with the ultimate goal of improving patient experience across the NHS.
The SDE’s secure infrastructure ensures that all data remains anonymous, protecting patient privacy while enabling meaningful analysis.
Though the initial findings will focus on Bradford and surrounding areas.