The Royal Free London (RFL) is leading a project aimed at using data to improve outcomes and reducing health inequalities for cancer patients.

The project will aim to develop a dataset that will provide a joined-up picture of cancer patient care in London, with the aim of reducing delays, improving care and reducing inefficiencies. 

The project is part of the London Health Data Strategy and it will be led by RFL research and innovation clinical director Derralynn Hughes. 

In partnership with NHS organisations, the research community and residents in London the aim is for the project to deliver measurable improvements in patient care in the next 12 months and to ensure the data can be used securely for planning services and research.  

Derralynn said: “I am delighted to be involved in the London Health Data Strategy Pathfinder Programme and excited to be working with colleagues in north central and north east London with the common objective of improving care and outcomes for patients with cancer.  
 
“Our aim of providing a unified dataset for patients with cancer will reduce delays due to missing details, increase safety, enable improvements in pathways and reduce healthcare inequalities.” 

The cancer pathways project is part of the London Health Data Strategy – three other projects within the strategy will look at asthma, hypertension and pre-school immunisations. 

This strategy presents a coordinated, partnership approach to safely join-up health and care data across the capital, and drive collaboration between existing initiatives to make London a world-leader in the use of data to improve health outcomes, provide insights and intelligence, and connect research and clinical care to create a genuinely learning health system.