> It strikes me that if all, or initially even a subset of, the disparate databases pushed a link between the universal ID
If it were this simple, one would think they would have done it already. One of the issues the NHS have is that they have so many disparate systems that don't know how to talk to each other. They're almost certainly aware of this and examining ways to unify them - after all, finding better technological solutions is why NHS Digital exists.
The NHS app on my phone provides my basic medical records and covid records already, at a touch of a button.
Maybe what they need to do is scrap the existing disparate cancer screening databases and create a new centralised one. Like they did for covid.
I assume it’s mostly a funding/business priority issue that’s stopping them. Or maybe privacy/infighting of data ownership within the various NHS entities.
I worked in NHS IT for a number of years. I've been in other industries for a while, but I doubt things have changed that much. It's not a funding or business priority issue per se. Tho having said that the NHS is focused on providing the best care to the most people. That does mean that some people fall through the cracks.
Anyway, the data is significantly more fragmented than you can ever imagine. GPs are technically (it's very odd) private companies. They can have a reasonable amount of leeway to do things as they see fit. Which means just at primary care level, there's a massive data quality issue. Then you get on to secondary care (hospitals etc) and there's just as much separation between the different trusts/health boards etc. Then each country, have their own NHS, Scotland, NI, Wales and England.
So it seems like an easy fix, but the reality is miles more complex than you might initially think.
> If it were this simple, one would think they would have done it already.
IME of NHS IT, simple technically is not necessarily simple politically. I'm more than open to the idea that I'm missing something, I definitely will be even some things aren't insurmountable, but until someone can tell me explicitly what that blocking issue is I'm reluctant to make that assumption.
If it were this simple, one would think they would have done it already. One of the issues the NHS have is that they have so many disparate systems that don't know how to talk to each other. They're almost certainly aware of this and examining ways to unify them - after all, finding better technological solutions is why NHS Digital exists.