Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB collaborates on health data initiative

A new partnership has been announced that will see Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board, Lichfield District Council and Impera Analytics Ltd collaborate to improve community wellbeing, by sharing anonymised NHS health data.

The initiative marks a significant advancement in public health management and will use Lichfield District Council’s Social Progress Index. Developed with Impera Analytics, the index integrates local data sources, such as information about homelessness, crime statistics and education to assess the quality of life at a local ward level.

The new collaboration will include NHS health data in the index, allowing the district council to better understand residents’ needs and ensure that the most appropriate resources are directed where they are most needed.

Dr Lorna Clarson, deputy chief medical officer, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board said: “We’ve been impressed by LDC’s approach to population health management using the Social Progress Index model. The approach used to share data across both multiple departments as well as across the county illustrates a genuine desire to plan public services in an integrated fashion.

The ICB will further this approach regionally and will expand this tool to cover all 167 wards across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Critically we will also share population health outcome information to our local government partners, so collectively we can take a social determinants and prevention approach to healthcare.”

Lichfield District Council’s use of data analytics has already helped drive impactful campaigns, such as the Together We district 2050 plan, which includes significant investments like a new leisure centre to boost local health and wellness.

The council expects that integrating anonymised health data from Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB will deepen and expand their efforts, and create a model for others to follow.

Simon Fletcher, chief executive of Lichfield District Council, said: “Over the past two years, we have been at the forefront of using data and digital services to understand and meet the needs of our community efficiently. By integrating NHS data into our SPI, we are setting a new benchmark for informed, targeted local governance.”

Pye Nyunt, chief executive of Impera Analytics, added: “Across the region we know that socio-economic factors are a determining factor of health, and whilst healthcare is serviced by our wonderful NHS, bringing together information sources across the county enables not only policy makers, but also the community itself to find solutions to health inequality and improving wellness. Information itself is a health determinant.

“This partnership not only sets a new standard for public health management but also empowers our community to address health inequalities effectively.”