Dr Data Insight - M1: Intro to PowerBI

Welcome

M1: Intro to PowerBI

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft PowerBI

Module 1: Introduction to Power BI provides a comprehensive foundation in one of the NHS’s most widely adopted data visualisation tools. As demand for real-time, data-driven decision-making grows, Power BI has become central to how organisations analyse performance, monitor patient outcomes, and report against key targets. In fact, over 90% of NHS Trusts now use Power BI to support everything from operational dashboards to executive-level reporting. In this module, learners will explore the Power BI interface, understand the core components (including datasets, reports, and dashboards), and learn how Power BI fits within the broader Microsoft ecosystem. By the end, you’ll have a strong grasp of how Power BI enables clear, effective storytelling through data.

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft PowerBI - 1.1

Module 1: Introduction to Power BI in Healthcare

Transforming NHS Data into Insightful, Safe, and Actionable Intelligence

Why This Module Matters

In the NHS, data is abundant — but insight is scarce.

From A&E dashboards to cancer pathway trackers, Power BI is now one of the most widely adopted tools for turning raw NHS data into meaningful visual stories. Yet the real value of Power BI lies not just in creating pretty charts — but in enabling evidence-based action across operational, clinical, and executive teams.

This module lays the foundation for how Power BI fits into the NHS ecosystem, what it’s capable of, and why it’s quickly becoming a critical skill for any healthcare analyst, digital leader, or improvement specialist.

What Is Power BI?

Power BI is Microsoft’s enterprise data visualisation and reporting platform. It allows you to:

Connect to nearly any data source (Excel, SQL, APIs, NHS Digital)
Transform and model data using Power Query and DAX
Build interactive reports and dashboards
Share insights securely within and across NHS organisations

But here’s what makes it powerful: Power BI is not just a reporting tool. It's a platform for creating self-service analytics, automating performance monitoring, and aligning data with real-world decisions — from ward to board.

Power BI’s Role in the NHS

Let’s be clear — Power BI isn’t solving healthcare. But it is transforming how NHS organisations see their challenges.

Today, it's being used across the system to:

Track 4-hour A&E breaches in real time
Monitor RTT pathways and backlog clearance
Analyse outpatient non-attendance and DNA rates
Support Integrated Care System (ICS) performance meetings
Visualise patient flow across urgent and elective care

"Power BI has made our data visible and our gaps impossible to ignore."
— NHS Chief Operating Officer, 2024

Whether you're working in BI, transformation, finance, commissioning, or patient safety — Power BI is becoming your new default lens.

Key Components of Power BI

Here’s how the platform is structured:

Power BI Desktop

Build reports, models, and visualisations on your PC

Power BI Service

Publish, share, schedule, and manage reports online

Power BI Mobile

View dashboards on smartphones and tablets

Power BI Gateway

Connect to on-premises data (like SQL in Trusts)

In the NHS, most analysts work in Desktop to develop reports, and then publish them to the Service for sharing within their organisation.

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft PowerBI - 1.2

Module 1: Introduction to Power BI in Healthcare

What Makes Power BI Different?

Power BI stands out because it brings together:

Power Query – for intuitive data cleaning
DAX – for precise, Excel-like calculation power
Visualisation tools – for clear, actionable storytelling
Cloud and governance controls – for security, RLS, and publishing

It’s the ability to build end-to-end workflows—from raw data to live insight—without needing a developer or expensive licensing.

That’s why it's rapidly becoming the de facto analytics tool across NHS Digital, Trusts, ICSs, and the wider public sector.

NHS Use Case Snapshot

Let’s say you’re asked to analyse A&E pressure across multiple sites.

With Power BI, you could:

Connect to your Trust’s ED attendance data (via SQL or CSV)
Transform the data to categorise by time of day, triage category, or delay reason
Calculate rolling 7-day breach percentages using DAX
Build a report that auto-refreshes daily
Add filters for hospital, specialty, and shift
Share the dashboard securely with operational leads

Now you're not just reporting the crisis — you're helping to manage it.

Governance in an NHS Context

The NHS has specific expectations around:

Data security (RLS, role-based access, NHSmail integration)
Information governance (no PID unless secured appropriately)
Transparency and trust (how data is defined, filtered, and shared)

In this course, we’ll not only teach you how to use Power BI — we’ll teach you how to use it responsibly.

Summary: The Big Picture

Power BI is a modern solution for a longstanding NHS problem: turning overwhelming data into clear, timely decisions.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

Connect to NHS datasets (HES, RTT, A&E, SUS, SitRep)
Model and visualise data clearly
Build dashboards that are safe, shareable, and meaningful
Speak the language of digital NHS transformation

This is more than just “learning a tool.”
It’s joining a movement toward smarter, safer, data-informed healthcare.

When you're ready, continue to Module 2: Connecting to and Transforming NHS Data — where we turn raw datasets into analysis-ready gold.

Introduction to PowerBI Quiz

Disclaimer: The videos included have been thoughtfully selected to support and enrich the learning experience. While not essential to the completion of the course, they offer valuable insights that may deepen your understanding of the module content. Dr Data Insights does not claim authorship or involvement in the creation of these tutorials.