Improving the analytical capabilities to support the North Cumbria Population Health Management approach North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust

A core feature of the North Cumbria Health and Care Strategy is the introduction of a population health management (PHM) approach, which uses health-related data to identify the needs of specific populations. This requires clinicians and managers to have access to PHM in order to make informed decisions about health and care.

There is a wealth of information and analysis available on population health needs in North Cumbria. This includes a comprehensive Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, which brings together local research and analysis resources to provide county-wide health data, and a RAIDR (Reporting Analysis and Intelligence Delivering Results) system, which provides meaningful, interactive population health intelligence.

This project involved developing and rolling out a programme that signposts managers and clinicians to where they can find this information, and training them in how to use it to improve patient care and pathways at an individual, community and system level.

The programme was rolled out with all eight primary care networks/integrated care communities. User manuals and guides were produced to support the identification of patients who would benefit from social prescribing. Detailed population health profiles were developed for each area, to enable easier access to PHM data and to engage the areas in the use of the tools. Online training sessions were held for all practices.

A number of areas have asked for further deep-dive training sessions and several areas have been using the data to build their plans and target interventions for patients.

By improving the awareness, evaluation and analysis of available information, the project has facilitated the effective use of health data and intelligence to deliver better outcomes for patients and make a difference to communities.   

Contact information

For more information about this project, please contact Tommy  Davies, Senior System Delivery and Development Manager, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.