Plans have been announced for a ‘civic data co-operative’ to improve the use of data in health and social care in the Liverpool region.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been asked to approve funding of £5.3 million to support the Liverpool City Region Civic Data Co-operative, run by a consortium of local research bodies in the field under the banner of Liverpool Health Partners.
It has made an announcement on the request, indicating that it is likely to be granted.
The authority said the co-operative would be responsible for cleaning and analysing anonymised health and social care data and supporting innovations for improving care.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram (pictured) said: “We already have significant strengths in health and life sciences and the digital and creative sector which this innovative project would marry together.
“This civic data co-operative would be a radical new approach to public health. It has the potential to make a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of our city region at the same time as putting us at the forefront of a new sector that could generate significant numbers of high quality jobs for local people.”
Supportive technologies
The combined authority cited the possibilities of using the data to develop technologies to help people with complex health conditions living at home, helping clinicians in treating diseases such as diabetes, and developing artificial intelligence systems to help GPs choose antibiotics.
Liverpool Health Partners involves a collection of NHS trusts in the region, along with four higher education institutions and the Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group.
It has highlighted the potential of the civic data co-operative to support businesses in the sector and help the local economy.
Its informatics team has been working on a refresh of the 2017 LHP Health Informatics Strategy to reflect the development of new technologies and changing healthcare priorities. It is expected to be complete during the first quarter of this year.
Image from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
