Faster Data Flows Programme

The Faster Data Flows Programme  is a data collection programme managed by NHS England.

The Faster Data Flows Programme provides more timely data to Health Care Providers,  Integrated Care Boards  and NHS England  and further improves access to data and insights. Streamlining data collection methods to improve the flow and speed of data supports local, system and national decision making across the whole PATIENT pathway.

The Faster Data Flows Programme addresses the reporting burden on Health Care Providers by working with Integrated Care Boards to replace existing local data flows and rationalising the current aggregate data collections from NHS England. Data collections through the Faster Data Flows Programme are used (where possible) to fulfil metric requests and prevent additional reporting burden being placed on Health Care Providers.

The Faster Data Flows Programme aims to deliver the principles and objectives described within Data Saves Lives to:

• Reduce data collection burden

• Provide an automated data collection system

• Follow data minimisation principles by requesting core data items

• Support the improvement of data quality

• Provide a simplified approach to collecting data.

The NHS Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance for 2023/24 set out NHS England's commitment to using the Faster Data Flows Programme to reduce the reporting burden on Health Care Providers  and to address the need for more timely automated data.

Further information on the Faster Data Flows Programme, can be found on the Faster Data Flows website.