A report by the Acute Data Alignment Programme (ADAPt) has recommended that private healthcare providers should routinely share information with the NHS.

ADAPt is a joint initiative between NHS Digital and the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN).

A public consultation is scheduled for next year.

According to the report, data on admitted patient care and outpatients could be shared to provide a more comprehensive insight into the quality of treatment and care across both the NHS and private healthcare, and therefore improve safety for patients.

The date from private providers would fall under the same security protections and confidentiality measures as NHS data.

ADAPt has already run pilot projects which showed that private providers can submit data directly to NHS Digital.

It is hoped sharing data would provide a better picture of healthcare in England for providers, regulators and researchers, and therefore improve care. It would also allow for greater analysis of patient pathways.

James Austin, Director of Data Strategy and Policy at NHS Digital, said: “NHS Digital has worked closely with PHIN on this important step towards aligning data collection for all acute providers – NHS and private.

“Patient safety is the ultimate driver for this and creating a single source of healthcare data will help provide better insights and lead to improved care and treatment for patients in the NHS and private healthcare.

“Patients can also be assured that the private provider data will be subject to the same stringent controls and protection as the NHS data we collect and hold.”