Combining expertise to tackle fragmentation in health and care data

Health and care data across the country is often stored in separate systems, making it harder for researchers and healthcare teams to get a full picture of someone’s care. This project aims to change that by creating a more joined-up, secure and efficient way to use data and accelerate research and innovation.

The agreement sets out a shared ambition to accelerate the integration of high-quality research data into the Secure Data Environment network and enable approved, appropriately trained researchers to securely access and analyse de-identified health and care data in a trusted computer platform.

We will combine the expertise of KMS SDE’s advanced governance, processes and technology with our leadership in digital innovation and research. This partnership enables GOSH to become part of the Secure Data Environment Network.

We will create a blueprint for how specialist data environments like our Digital Research Environment (DRE) can work together with the SDE network to deliver joined-up insights that benefit patients, researchers, and the wider health and care system. The project will also lay the groundwork for future collaborations with other specialist data environments and the SDE network.

• Better care: Researchers can see the full picture, helping with earlier diagnosis and more personalised treatment.
• Faster innovation: New treatments and technologies can be developed and adopted more quickly.
• Stronger data protection: Data is kept safe in secure data environments, with strict controls on who can access it and for what purpose.

• Easier access to data: Approved researchers can work with complete, joined-up datasets in one secure place, rather than compiling data from multiple sources.
• Faster progress: Less time spent piecing together data can lead to faster discoveries of new treatments.

Shiren Patel, Head of Innovation Technology and Data Research at GOSH said: “At GOSH, we’re committed to excellence - not just in care, but in how we manage and use data. By working with KMS SDE, one of the most advanced regional data environments, we can refine our governance model, build a gold-standard framework that others can follow and ensure we remain at the forefront of trusted, high-impact health research.”

Catherine Dampney, Programme Director for KMS SDE said: “We are delighted to be working with GOSH as an international recognised centre of excellence. As part of the SDE network we will ensure that we provide a framework that enables easier access to high quality, integrated multimodal data for research. We will work in partnership, with GOSH, to bring a critically important source of data to wider research community and to accelerate the delivery of high impact globally important health research.”

Together, we’re building a more connected, trusted and impactful data environment that benefits researchers, clinicians and ultimately, patients.