Data is central to evidence-based practice and patient choice. We’ve seen the growth of ‘big data’, but how do we ensure that the appropriate information is available at a more personal level, so that we use the right data at the right time, and it tells us what we need to know? What in that cloud of ‘big data’ should patients and the healthcare sector consider to be essential intelligence? 

At PHIN we’re uniquely positioned in the healthcare sector. We’re independent, not-for-profit and government mandated. We’re here to help improve sector transparency – quality and price – and in doing so help increase competition and assist patients in making more informed choices. 

We hold and publish data from the independent sector and NHS that is unavailable elsewhere, and we are also able to bring together parties from across the healthcare environment who might not otherwise find themselves in the same room. 

To make the most of our position, we host annual quality forums so that we – and the providers, consultants, insurers, patient organisations and health technology leaders who attend – can share knowledge and learn from other experts across data science, digital health, and patient safety. 

So what is the Essential Intelligence – the data patients and providers really need – and how can it be used to improve health outcomes, increase transparency, and support informed decision-making? That’s a question we’ll be exploring at our Quality Forum on 14 October, and we invite you to join us at Royal College of Physicians, Regent’s Park, London. The Quality Forum, co-sponsored by Healthcare Today, is free to attend, but registration is required. Find out more at: www.phin.org.uk.


Our speakers include: 

  • Dr Susan Alexander, Consultant Shoulder Surgeon and President of the Independent Doctors Federation. Susan brings a wealth of experience from both NHS and private healthcare, advocating for clinician-led reform and helping doctors excel under pressure.
  • Dr Aziza Sesay, a GP, educator, and award-winning health communicator. As the founder of Talks with Dr. Sesay and Vice Chair of Black Female Doctors UK, Dr Sesay is a leading voice on health education, equity and access. Her work has spanned BBC Breakfast to global campaigns with the WHO, all rooted in improving outcomes and addressing health inequities.
  • Saif Abed, Medical Doctor, Cybersecurity Expert, AI Risk Management, Expert Witness, from the AbedGraham Group. Saif will bring his insights on the importance of protecting our data and the dire implications of not doing so.
  • Arthur Stephen, Chief Medical Officer at Nuffield Health. With over 20 years’ experience as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and a track record in clinical leadership, Arthur will bring a frontline perspective on ‘Essential Intelligence’.
  • Mohammad Al-Ubaydli, founder and CEO of Patients Know Best. With more than five million registered users, Patients Know Best is transforming how patients access and control their health data. He’ll explore how putting patients in charge of their records can reshape outcomes, trust and transparency.
  • Daniel Bulkin, founder and CEO of Healistic. Healistic is a secure e-prescription platform connecting clinics, pharmacies, and patients. It helps clinicians issue prescriptions in seconds and delivers medication to patients’ doors – increasing speed, safety, and transparency.
  • Phil Bates, CEO of OSD Healthcare, who will provide a smaller providers insight into the use of data in patient care.
  • George Maughan, Head of Client Relations, THEMIS Clinical Defence. With a decade of expertise in Medical Malpractice Insurance, George Maughan leads THEMIS Clinical Defence’s efforts to deliver tailored and contractual protection for healthcare professionals; and to patients should negligence occur. He is at the forefront of THEMIS’s commitment to defend clinicians and promote patient safety.
  • Glen Ferris, editor-in-chief, Healthcare Today, a journalist with 25+ years’ experience working for national and international media platforms, Glen Ferris spearheads Healthcare Today’s mission to champion patient safety and elevate healthcare standards through meaningful editorial.

    By attending this event, you can play your part in increasing understanding of how high-performance data is being, and could be used, to improve the quality of care in private hospitals and clinics, and better defining the information that empowers patients to make more informed decisions. 

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the buzz word across the world, but we want to see Essential Intelligence (EI) being recognised as just as, if not more, important. Everyone needs to know that the information they use to make decisions is accurate, reliable and timely – whether it’s provided by front line informatics teams, consultants, AI, word of mouth or any other source. 

    We think it’s time to get your head out of the data cloud and focused on the essential information that is needed to improve the healthcare we deliver for patients. We hope to see you in October. 

    Dr Ian Gargan is Chief Executive of the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN).