Using data to improve UK neonatal care: past, present and future

The article summarises the progress of the neonatal data landscape in the UK over the last 25 years, with particular reference to progress and achievements over the last decade. We have outlined the four main challenges faced by the current neonatal data landscape in the UK, including the need for single entry of correct and relevant data that flow to one national neonatal database; interoperability between electronic patient record systems; consistencies in quality measures; improved access to data for relevant persons and/or bodies. We have also provided our vision for the future, calling for closer collaborative working and training resources to raise awareness of the UK neonatal data landscape.

Tng Chang Kwok
Neonatal Grid Trainee and Research Fellow, University of Nottingham

Cheryl Battersby
Neonatal Consultant and Clinical Senior Lecturer in Neonatal Medicine, Imperial College London
c.battersby@imperial.ac.uk

On behalf of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine Data and Informatics Steering Group

Kwok T.C., Battersby C. Using data to improve UK neonatal care: past, present and future Infant 2023; 19(2): 54-59.

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Keywords

neonatal data; challenges; future

Key points

The UK neonatal data landscape is an exemplar for other specialties with both a national data capture and an Information Standards Board approved neonatal dataset.
The BAPM Data and Informatics Group identified four main challenges to overcome to safeguard current and future advancements.
Closer collaborative working and resources to facilitate increased awareness of the current neonatal data landscape are needed to be able to properly harness the power of population-scale data to improve neonatal care.

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