Medical Records: Databases
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether algorithms and predictive systems within the NHS Federated Data Platform are subject to independent scrutiny for bias, discrimination or opaque automated decision-making.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) safely connects information across the National Health Service into a single, secure environment to allow staff to better co-ordinate care, through managing theatre time better, improving the speed of a cancer diagnosis, or allowing patients to be discharged quicker from hospital.
To date, 24 integrated care board clusters and 168 NHS trusts have signed up to the NHS FDP, including the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. NHS England publishes quarterly information on the benefits realised from the NHS FDP, which is available at the following link:
Algorithms and predictive systems within the NHS FDP are subject to robust oversight to ensure they are fair, transparent, and safe. The programme aligns with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s AI Playbook principles, requiring consideration of bias, discrimination, proportionality, and human oversight throughout.
All relevant use cases are supported by Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) to identify and mitigate risks. Within the FDP DPIA template, there is a specific section covering automated decision making which must be completed in all cases. We are strengthening transparency through plans to publish artificial intelligence (AI) use cases under the Algorithmic Transparency Reporting Standard operated by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
AI developments are regularly reviewed by the independent Data Transformation Check and Challenge Group and AI Ambassador Network, providing external scrutiny and challenges. The NHS FDP programme also participates in national initiatives, including the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s AI Airlock, which supports independent evaluation in real-world conditions.
These measures ensure appropriate independent scrutiny and control of risks relating to bias, discrimination, and a lack of clarity. Currently, none of the products live in the NHS FDP have any automated decision making as part of the processing activities.
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