Millions of patients are to receive faster diagnosis now NHS trusts, for the first time, have access to technology that brings key patient information together so medical teams can easily spot those in need of urgent attention.

There are over two million people living with cancer, many of whom deal with a long trial of tests, appointments, and treatments. A new tool, Cancer 360, will bring all of this data into one central system. This will allow clinicians to priories patients and get through waiting lists quicker, and this technology is set to benefit millions over the next decade.

Cancer 360 shows clinicians a dashboard of all the information they need on patients in one place, instead of heaving to gather the information from various systems, spreadsheets, emails and records. Soon to be rolled out across all NHS trusts following successful pilots at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and Royal United Hospital Bath, Cancer 360 demonstrates a marked shift from analogue to digital which is central to the government’s Plan for Change.

The tool will track patient updates in real time, and can even produce personalised treatment plans, as well as reducing paperwork. For patients, this means faster diagnoses, reduced waiting times, and more coordinated care throughout their cancer journey.

The tool is built into the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP), which was allocated £121 million in the government’s Autumn Budget. Since April 2024, hospitals using the FDP have typically performed 70,000 more procedures and reduced unnecessary hospital stays by almost 19 per cent, treating more patients and freeing up beds.

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: “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.”

“It’s a long road, but we’re already getting out NHS back on its feet, giving patients over three 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.”