Past Lessons, Future Choices: Navigating the NHS Single Patient Record Journey
The NHS's new Single Patient Record is putting patients at the centre of their healthcare journey, with secure and accurate data.
As the NHS moves toward a national Single Patient Record (SPR), one thing is clear: this is not just another technology initiative; it’s a generational opportunity to transform care delivery. It will unite fragmented data, connect systems, and empower clinicians with the insights they need to deliver safer, more personalized, and more efficient care.
At the heart of this transformation is the core principle of patient empowerment, positioning each patient as the steward of their own health data.
But that opportunity is not without risk. Technical complexity, historic mistrust, and the
sheer scale of the NHS ecosystem all pose real challenges. To succeed, the SPR will require more than just infrastructure. It will demand trusted data, secure interoperability, and a commitment to doing things differently than in the past.
At Quantexa, we believe data is only as valuable as it is usable. That’s why we understand this challenge and the support that is required for success on this journey. To tap into the opportunity that exists will require deep technical expertise, a proven track record in large- scale transformation, and a clear-eyed view of what it takes to make national data programs succeed.
Learning from past NHS data initiatives
The SPR is building on a legacy of previous attempts at national integration, such as the National Program for IT (NPfIT), where technical execution outpaced stakeholder engagement and semantic governance. These efforts were not wasted as they provided an opportunity for learning to build better moving forward.
And, building better will require bold ambition behind the SPR, which seeks to give every clinician and patient access to a consistent, accurate, and real-time view of care no matter where they are in the system. As well as an understanding that the value of a shared record isn’t just in the infrastructure; it’s in the clarity of the data it carries, and the confidence users have in what they see.
The SPR will deliver its real value not in abstract architecture or digital strategies, but in empowering people on the front lines and patients with their own data. The success of this transformation will depend on data that is accurate, secure, and usable across the many parts of the NHS.
Potential models for the NHS Single Patient Record
As we look to the future of the NHS Single Patient Record, it’s clear there are several approaches to consider, each with distinct opportunities, risks, and implications for patients, clinicians, and the wider healthcare system. While this article sets the stage, future pieces will explore each model in depth, drawing on technical assessments, stakeholder feedback, and lessons from existing national and regional programmes.
Greenfield Replacement Model: This approach envisions building an entirely new, stand-alone SPR platform from the ground up, a “greenfield” system that would replace existing local and regional health information systems. It offers maximum design flexibility and the opportunity to standardize data, governance, and access across the NHS. However, it is also the most disruptive option, requiring significant change management, a standardized data management framework, migration of legacy data, and careful transition planning to avoid loss of historical context and clinical continuity.
Hybrid Integration Model: A mixed model seeking to accelerate SPR implementation by building upon the NHS’s considerable investments in shared care records and established regional platforms. Examples include Interweave in Yorkshire & Humber and the Cheshire & Merseyside CiPHA system. Here, the SPR would act as an orchestration layer, integrating and reconciling patient data from these trusted sources to provide a consistent national view while maintaining the autonomy and value of existing systems. This incremental approach minimizes disruption and capitalizes on proven digital infrastructure, but it also introduces challenges in interoperability, semantic alignment, and governance consistency.
Federated Open Standards Model: Builds the SPR on top of the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP), utilizing open standards such as OpenEHR and OMOP for data interoperability and analytics. This option offers a flexible, standards-driven approach that can evolve alongside the broader digital transformation of the NHS. By adopting open data models and APIs, the SPR becomes inherently extensible and future-proof, better able to accommodate emerging clinical and research needs. However, success depends on wide adoption of open standards, investment in national enablement, and strong commitment to collaborative governance.
In a follow-up series, we will explore the practical considerations, technical architectures, and stakeholder impacts of each potential model for the SPR. These three models each represent a different pathway toward the goal of a unified, patient-centric SPR with Quantexa playing a meaningful role across all three options.
How Quantexa supports a national SPR vision
At the heart of our approach, across all options, is Entity Resolution which is technology that transforms disparate, fragmented data into a unified, accurate view of each patient. Already used by some of the world’s most data-intensive organizations, our platform:
Achieves up to 99% accuracy in resolving records across siloed systems, reducing duplication and risk.
Scales securely to national-level deployments, with built-in governance and compliance.
Integrates seamlessly into existing data architectures, complementing investments like shared care records and federated data platforms.
But just as important as our technology is our philosophy. We don’t believe in centralizing control or imposing rigid frameworks. Our model is federated and flexible designed to empower NHS Trusts, ICBs, and other stakeholders to own their data, govern it locally, and collaborate across the system without compromising autonomy.
Why partnerships matter for SPR success
We understand that lasting change in the NHS comes from the people who use data every day to make life-saving decisions. That’s why we see our role not as a vendor, but as a potential partner: one that listens first, acts with respect, and brings outside expertise to support existing initiatives.
We also understand the NHS’s investment in programs like the FDP and Shared Care Records. We believe our technology can complement these efforts by enhancing interoperability, improving data quality, and accelerating delivery of the SPR.
A shared vision of the future of NHS data
The SPR is not just a technical project. It’s a chance to redesign how the NHS connects data to care to patients. It’s about empowering patients to take ownership of their care, enabling clinicians to see the full picture, reducing the burden on frontline staff, and ultimately improving health outcomes for millions of people.
From vision to delivery, to bring this vision to life we believe in the “start small, scale smart” approach to implementing the SPR. The NHS should consider beginning with targeted pilots in high-need patient groups, using incremental steps to ensure success and scalability. Additionally, scaling from a regional level to national, regions can share outcomes nationally and build a foundation for trust and co-creation.
We know this won’t be easy. But we’re confident that, with the right partnerships, the NHS can build something truly transformational. And we believe Quantexa has a meaningful role to play in making that vision a reality.
Because when data works harder, healthcare works better.
Read our guide on AI and Decision Intelligence in Healthcare Transformation to find out more.
