'Every data record that comes in electronically to the [regional] data registry ... will be automatically linked to NHS to check and authenticate who the person is and to augment other data in the registry,' Carrigan said. 'It improves the registration process.'

The system also will allow health officials to apply standardized business rules about how the data is categorized. Now, as data comes in, people decide how different parts of it will be categorized. Because that process is based on human decision-making, there can be discrepancies in how data is categorized and analyzed.

'I can never tell whether it is a right or wrong decision because it is in someone's head,' Carrigan said. 'With the [new] system, I can control and visualize the business rules that are happening within the registries.'

The system will also allow the registries to more easily accept the influx of data expected as the country continues to roll out the NHS National Program for IT, which calls for a single electronic record of care for all citizens. With that program, the amount of data received by registries could increase by 100 percent over the next several years, he said.

'As new information feeds are made available ..., we'll be able to hook into those, utilize them and build them into the process much more effectively.'