The Federated Data Platform is not a data collection. It is software that will help connect disparate sets of data and allow them to be used more effectively for care.
It will sit across NHS trusts and integrated care systems allowing them to connect data they already hold in a secure and safe environment. GP data will not be part of the national platform.
The software will be ‘federated’ across the NHS. This means every hospital and integrated care board will have its own version of the platform that can connect and collaborate with other data platforms as a ‘federation’. This makes it easier for health and care organisations to work together, compare data, analyse it at different geographic, demographic and organisational levels and share and spread new effective digital solutions.
The FDP is for the NHS, or those commissioned by them, to access data for direct care and population health planning purposes; it will not be used for external research.
The NHS Research SDE Network is for external users and/or those conducting research to access data.