The UK Government is rolling out new technology across NHS England trusts with the aim of helping millions of cancer patients receive faster diagnosis, cut treatment delays, and boost survival rates.

It’s estimated there are over 3 million people living with cancer currently, many of whom face a complex journey of tests, appointments, or treatments. A new tool, dubbed “Cancer 360,” brings all that data into one central system so clinicians can prioritise those most in need and see patients quicker.

The real-time tool has been created to help teams easily track a patient’s progress, avert delays, and even produce personalised treatment plans. It’s been said it’ll also dramatically reduce paperwork and help ensure vital warning signs aren’t missed.

The new tool is built into the NHS Federated Data Platform (FD), which brings patient information together from across separate systems into one secure environment. Since April 2024, hospitals using the platform have typically performed 70,000 more procedures and reduced unnecessary hospital stays by almost 19%.

“Every cancer patient deserves swift, effective care, and our new Cancer 360 solution harnesses data to ensure exactly that,” said Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS National Clinical Transformation Director. “By giving clinicians a comprehensive view of patient pathways, we can identify and address delays immediately.

“The NHS Federated Data Platform is already showing its value in transforming cancer care, helping our hard-working staff deliver better outcomes while reducing administrative burden. As Cancer 360 expands to more hospitals nationwide, I’m confident we’ll see meaningful improvements in both treatment times and patient experience.”

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The announcement of Cancer 360 comes amid the UK’s Labour government saying that it’s inherited a broken NHS. Lord Ara Darzi’s recent independent investigation found the NHS in “critical condition,” with surging waiting lists and deteriorating national health, and set out the need to improve cancer waiting time performance and cancer survival.

To better support the NHS, the UK Government put £26 billion into the NHS, announced in the Autumn Budget. This includes the biggest increase in NHS spending since 2010, excluding COVID years, and includes £1 billion for digital transformation projects and £121 million for the NHS FDP.

“This government grasped the nettle and made difficult but necessary choices to invest £26 billion into our NHS – a move that is already helping millions of patients and will help millions more,” said health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting.

“It’s a long road, but we’re already getting our NHS back on its feet, giving patients over 3 million more appointments, hiring 1,500 new GPs and starting the roll out of new tech that will save lives.

“It is only this government’s Plan for Change that will deliver for patients and make our NHS fit for the future.”