NHS West Midlands to open up data

NHS West Midlands is to publish all its performance information on the region's new digital service for staff and patients, NHS local. The authority will publish its data jointly with the West Midlands Quality Institute (WMQI). It hopes that publishing the information will help drive higher standards across the NHS in the region. "Giving increasing amounts of robust information, comparable between NHS organisations to clinicians and other frontline staff, will allow them to make improvements in safety, productivity and quality," NHS West Midlands said. Other information, including profiles of each hospital in the area detailing the quality of the service they provide in terms of effectiveness, safety and experience, will also be made public. The authority said it hopes that in future staff and patients will be able to see a service profile for each GP practice across the West Midlands. "We want to be far more open about publishing data on the performance of the NHS in the region. We are very excited by the opportunities that WMQI and NHS local offer us in making data freely available to patients and the public in easily understandable formats," said Stan Silverman, medical director at NHS West Midlands. "The sharing of data is a powerful lever in improving the quality and safety of health services, and holds the NHS to account for their use of public money". The authority also plans to make data available through iPhones and iPads.