Data Observatory Insights

Thought leadership, blogs and articles from health and social care data experts, delivering unbiased, evidence-led insight shaping the data and analytics landscape.

Featured Article

Utilising the Power of the Hive Mind to Drive Social Improvement
thought-leadership
15 May 2026 5 min read

Utilising the Power of the Hive Mind to Drive Social Improvement

What do murmurations of starlings, rugby teams, and ant colonies have in common? Dr Huw Davies explores how the Data Observatory is harnessing collective intelligence to solve health and care's most complex data challenges.

Read More

Insights & Thought Leadership

Thought leadership, blogs and articles from leading data experts

Building the Digital, Data and Analytical Workforce the NHS Needs
thought-leadership
neil-morgan Neil Morgan
30 Jul 6 min read

Building the Digital, Data and Analytical Workforce the NHS Needs

As NHS England prepares its revised workforce strategy, delivery of the 10-Year Plan rests on the digital, data and analytical professions. Neil Morgan provides a deeper insight into the capacity pressures, the case for professionalising DDaT, and what it takes to build a workforce that can thrive.

What the Ockenden Report Teaches Us About Assurance
cdaon
rowland-agidee Rowland Agidee
06 Jul 7 min read

What the Ockenden Report Teaches Us About Assurance

On 24 June 2026, Donna Ockenden published her review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals. Rowland Agidee uses it to examine the gap between implementation and integration assurance, and why governance can exist in form but not in function.

Thunderstorms and Strikes
blogs
dr-huw-davies Dr Huw Davies
19 Jun 7 min read

Thunderstorms and Strikes

Thunderstorm, a tube strike, and a roundtable on open versus closed coding, Dr Huw Davies reflects on an evening with Anaconda and the case for "Governance as a Service" in Health Data.

What's Happening with CSUs (Data and Analytics)?
insights
jon-adamson Jon Adamson
17 Jun 7 min read

What's Happening with CSUs (Data and Analytics)?

One year on from the closure announcement, where do CSU data and analytics services actually stand? A look at what is transferring, what is at risk, and what comes next.

The Stability and Future of the NHS
blogs
dr-huw-davies Dr Huw Davies
04 Jun 10 min read

The Stability and Future of the NHS

The NHS is not failing, it has overachieved. But what happens when that success creates a sicker population? Dr Huw Davies sets out a bold, unsentimental case for how the system can be reformed before it reaches a point of no return.

Data Observatory Insights
thought-leadership
dr-huw-davies Dr Huw Davies
25 Apr 2 min read

The Power of Analytics

Analytics is transforming how health and care organisations understand their populations, predict demand, and deliver better outcomes. This article explores how data-driven decision making is reshaping the sector.

Partner with us on
Thought Leadership

We convene leading experts and scientists across health and social care to explore the ideas shaping the future of data.

Interested in partnering or collaborating on a topic? We would love to hear from you.

Let's chat