Interoperability remains a significant challenge for HealthTech providers working with the NHS, due to the complexity of integrating new solutions within varied electronic patient records and central services. The Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard can help overcome these hurdles by enabling seamless data exchange and improved care coordination. By embracing FHIR, HealthTech providers can streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and deliver better patient outcomes.
FHIR was developed by HL7® International to address limitations found in earlier standards such as HL7v2 and v3. It utilises modern web technologies like RESTful APIs, XML, and JSON, which make it more accessible and efficient to implement. A key advantage is that FHIR balances simplicity with robust functionality, providing a consistent data model that supports smooth data sharing between clinical documents, patient records, imaging data, and more.
By emphasising improved data exchange, FHIR helps reduce the traditional information silos that often hinder collaboration. When healthcare teams have timely, accurate patient information, they can deliver safer, more personalised care. FHIR also scales to accommodate evolving needs, including remote patient monitoring, and data from consumer wearables.
Why HealthTech companies benefit
These advantages underline why FHIR can be so beneficial for HealthTech companies looking to integrate with NHS systems. More efficient interoperability means fewer barriers, stronger care coordination, and increased patient engagement. Initiatives such as MyHealth@EU further highlight FHIR’s global reach, allowing patients to securely access records when travelling or relocating.
Because of its flexibility, FHIR not only supports new technologies but can also be used to gather and analyse data from multiple sources for population health initiatives, predictive analytics, and personalised medicine. This creates additional opportunities to improve preventive care and respond more effectively to public health challenges.
Despite these advantages, there are practical hurdles that HealthTech providers should be aware of:
- Technical complexity: Effective FHIR implementation often requires specialised resources and expertise.
- Ongoing evolution: FHIR is regularly updated, so keeping pace with new versions and implementation guides is essential.
- Data governance: Privacy and security remain top priorities for all healthcare data, including FHIR-based exchanges.
- Consensus among stakeholders: Consistent adoption across the NHS depends on alignment between providers, technology vendors, and regulatory bodies.
To address these issues, many HealthTechs rely on platforms designed to simplify FHIR adoption. InterSystems IRIS for Health™, for example, natively supports FHIR for data storage, retrieval, and exchange, reducing risks and implementation costs. InterSystems also offers training and documentation to ensure teams have the skill sets for successful integration.
A global perspective on FHIR
Healthcare systems around the world vary widely, and FHIR’s adaptability is a major asset. Countries like the UK use FHIR to streamline NHS services, while other regions apply it for cross-border data exchange. This versatility highlights FHIR’s value in supporting healthcare environments and regulatory requirements.
As the standard evolves, FHIR will continue to support new use cases, such as artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and expanded patient engagement tools, and will integrate with technologies like smart home devices or wearables that assist vulnerable groups or people managing chronic conditions.
Given these possibilities, HealthTech providers that prioritise FHIR from the outset can avoid rework later and reduce typical integration difficulties. Considering FHIR requirements early in solution design makes it easier to ensure compliance with NHS standards and positions products for long-term success in a rapidly changing industry.
Ultimately, interoperability is vital to delivering better healthcare for individuals and entire communities. By adopting FHIR, HealthTech developers can break down barriers, support more efficient data exchange, and open up space for continued innovation in patient care.
Learn more
For additional guidance on using FHIR to achieve seamless interoperability within the NHS, check out our comprehensive two-pager here . It offers practical steps and in-depth insights to help HealthTech organisations harness the potential of FHIR.
