Research & Evaluation of Secure Data Environments

Secure Data Environments (SDEs) are being developed for regional integrated care systems across the UK. They provide national and sub-national infrastructure for conducting safe, secure, and ethical data-sharing of health records and associated data for research. These infrastructures create huge possibilities for enhancing health and care services, and for enabling patient-involved care.

There is a Secure Data Environment (SDE) development programme for the North East and North Cumbria region. NortHFutures researchers are studying the design and development of the SDE and its user interface to understand their accessibility to diverse stakeholders, and patients’ attitudes to the use of their data for research purposes. Through this work, we also consider what potential technology applications could enhance collaborative research with data, to further inform the SDE development.

This work is being led by Abigail Durrant (Newcastle University) and Paolo Missier (University of Birmingham) with Mark Walsh (Health Innovation NENC).

Supported by: Peter Glick and Oladayo Owoeye (Newcastle University), Charlotte Clarke (Durham University), John Murray, (University of Sunderland), Naeem Soomro (Newcastle Hospitals Trust), Arne Wolters (Cumbria Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Trust), and Jennifer Wood.