The NHS Long Term Plan and NHS Data Strategy set out a clear vision for using robust health data across the health and care system to drive transformation and continuous improvement in clinical quality. 

Harnessing the power of digital, data and technology is the key to meeting NHS priorities, including elective recovery, as well as addressing longer-term challenges, supporting innovation, and delivering services in new and more sustainable ways.  

NCIP is a critical part of the response to the Paterson Inquiry, which recommended there should be a single repository of the whole practice of consultants across England.  

The Paterson Inquiry highlighted that there is considerable variation in individual clinical practice which can remain invisible. By sharing high-quality outcome data, consultants, their appraisers and responsible officers can compare outcomes for their practice or use peer review to improve their performance in a way that is measurable and objective, leading to better safety and efficiency across the NHS.   

Clinically led, for clinicians

NCIP is developed by clinicians, for clinicians. Our clinical leads, other consultants and data experts work together to create dashboards that are accurate and meaningful for each featured specialty. These are beta-tested by other consultants before each new specialty section is launched.  

We work closely with relevant specialty associations when developing the dashboards, and don’t launch any new specialty sections without their endorsement. 

NCIP is supported by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the Royal College of Surgeons and the Federation of Surgical Specialty Associations as a tool that can support consultant learning and development.