NEWS+Local: Locally adapted deteriorating patient scoring systems

This project is focused on improving how hospitals detect when patients are becoming seriously unwell. We aim to build better, more accurate early warning systems by combining standard patient information (like heart rate or breathing) with real-time data, such as blood test results. These new models will be designed to reflect local hospital populations while still being useful across the NHS.

We’re starting by testing this approach in our hospital but are building the tools so they can be used nationwide. One of our goals is to create a live digital map that shows patients most at risk of sudden deterioration, helping clinical teams respond earlier.

We are also committed to making sure these new tools work fairly for all patients, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or other personal factors. That means carefully testing the models to avoid any bias and ensure they perform equally well for different groups.

A key part of the project is involving doctors and nurses throughout the process, so the final system works well in real-life settings and is informed by frontline expertise. We’re also setting up secure systems so other researchers and hospitals can join in and benefit from what we develop.

Lead Investigators