Navigating the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP). A Strategic Blueprint for CIOs 

The National Health Service (NHS) is at a digital crossroads. For years, Chief Information Officers have battled the “data silo” problem, developing fragmented landscape where important operational insights are trapped in legacy systems.  

The NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) represents the first genuine attempt to build a unified, secure, and scalable digital platform across the service. In reality, adoption curves vary; whether your trust is an early advocate or is approaching the transition with strategic caution, the requirement for readiness is now universal. It is a notable inflection point that several of England’s largest and most prestigious Trusts have yet to commence their onboarding, despite the clear central drive for full adoption by April 2026. This creates a critical window for leadership to ensure that their local data foundations can support the transition without disrupting frontline delivery. 

At Simpson Associates, we believe in a better-together approach when it comes to the NHS Federated Data Platform.  The FDP works best when it’s working alongside local capability rather than replacing it. Trusts still need strong local data foundations, trusted reporting environments, and governed architectures that integrate seamlessly with the FDP to deliver real operational value. 

What is the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP)?  

At its core, the FDP is a cloud-based infrastructure designed to connect the dots. It is federated by design, meaning local Trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) maintain sovereignty as Data Controllers within their own instances, while gaining the interoperability required to collaborate across the wider network. 

Why is the FDP now mandatory? Strategic mandate for 2026/27  

Under the latest planning guidance from the NHS, onboarding to the NHS Federated Data Platform is no longer optional. The platform underpins national priorities, including elective recovery, cancer pathways, and urgent care performance. Trusts are expected to prepare now to meet targets from 2026 onwards. 

The NHS Medium-Term Planning Framework has formally shifted the FDP from an optional innovation to a foundational requirement. Guidance for 2026/27 through 2028/29 has set expectations for universal onboarding across acute, community, and mental health services to enable consistent reporting, operational insight, and system-wide collaboration. 

How should trusts prepare for FDP adoption?  

Preparing for the NHS Federated Data Platform is less about technology replacement and more about data readiness. Trusts that establish strong data quality, governance, and integration foundations now will onboard faster and see value sooner, without disrupting frontline services. 

Practical preparation for trusts and CIOs should focus on three priorities: improving data quality and lineage, aligning existing datasets to national standards, and modernising integration between source systems and cloud platforms. By addressing these fundamentals early, CIOs can ensure that their FDP instance delivers meaningful operational insight from day one rather than becoming another technical layer to manage.  

Should you use a Data Warehouse or a local data platform?  

The most common question that CIOs and data leaders will ask is: Will the NHS Federated Data Platform replace our existing data warehouse?  In most cases, the answer is no.  

While the FDP is no longer optional, it does not replace the need for a local data platform. The best-case scenarios for trusts would be to operate on a hybrid model that uses the FDP for nationally defined capabilities and interoperability. While utilising their local platform for bespoke analytics, advanced use-cases, and operational flexibility. 
 
This allows trusts to get the best of both worlds when it comes to their data. 

Bridging the Gap: How can Simpson Associates help you?  

While the national mandate provides the “what,” the “how” remains a local challenge. Transitioning to a federated model requires a robust data strategy that aligns your existing EPR data with the new national standards. 

As an award-winning Microsoft Solutions Partner and Microsoft Fabric Featured Partner, we see our role as helping CIOs navigate this transition without reinventing the wheel. We focus on: 

• Data Readiness: Auditing your current data quality to ensure that it feeds the FDP effectively. 

• Technical Orchestration: Bridging the gap between your current data warehouse and the FDP instance for a “single version of the truth.” 

• Strategic Mapping: Helping you align FDP capabilities (like elective recovery or discharge planning) with your specific local recovery targets. 

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