NHS England and Prostate Cancer Research have launched a collaborative research initiative called Prostate Progress which will see the NHS Research Secure Data Environment linking pseudonymised clinical data with patient-reported outcomes, enabling researchers to access “rich, integrated datasets” about prostate cancer care and experiences.
Through the project and its combination of the two sets of data, it is hoped that researchers will be able to gain “unique insights” supporting the increased understanding of the disease and the development of new tests and treatments, along with supporting the planning of new NHS services.
Patients who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer are encouraged to take part to share insights on their experiences, and can find more information here.
The project forms part of NHS England’s Data for Research and Development Programme, and is described as “the first in a series of ‘driver projects’” designed to support innovative uses of health data.
Healthcare data
In recent news around data use, HTN explored Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB’s ‘state of the system’ report, which includes insight into how the ICB is planning to utilise data to support patient care.
We took a look at data shared by Coventry and Warwickshire ICS around its work supporting people at home and improving efficiencies around cardiology care.
HTN covered the King’s Speech 2024, including plans for a smart data bill which aims to ensure the power of data is utilised to support growth, the government, and people’s lives.
On a global scale, we interviewed Cheryl Fenwick Evans, previously a clinical documentation specialist with Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, about how her team sought to improve post-operative experience using data and the lessons she believes all healthcare systems could learn from the Māori view of data. Click here to read what Cheryl had to say.
Cancer care: the wider trend
What else has been in the news around health tech and cancer care?
Earlier this month we explored a progress update on data research from the All-Island eHealth Hub for Cancer, a partnership focused on developing data platforms and approaches for health data to improve cancer care.
In June we noted the launch of a skin cancer pilot utilising AI to help triage and assess skin lesions in Tameside and Glossop; and we highlighted how a consultant from Cambridge University Hospitals has been awarded a funding grant of up to £365,000 to explore how AI and video can help identify gastric cancer at an earlier stage.
We also examined the Cancer Research UK roadmap, including proposals for addressing early detection and diagnosis through new technologies, enhanced data access for research, and new models of healthcare.
