The NHS Research Secure Data Environment (SDE) Network is made up of 12 SDEs who provide secure access to healthcare data for research and innovation.
What is the NHS Research Secure Data Environment (SDE) Network?
The NHS Research Secure Data Environment (SDE) Network is made up of 12 SDEs who provide secure access to healthcare data for research and innovation. Network members include the NHS England SDE and 11 Sub National SDEs:
- East Midlands
- East of England
- Great Western
- Kent, Medway and Sussex
- London
- North East and North Cumbria
- North West
- Thames Valley and Surrey
- Wessex
- West Midlands
- Yorkshire and Humber
The network ensures there is secure access across England to healthcare data for approved research projects led by academics, industry organisations or NHS employees such as clinical researchers.
Secure Data Environments (SDEs)
In June 2022 the Data Saves Lives strategy committed to moving to a system of data access (rather than data being shared outside of NHS platforms) as the default way that NHS health and social care data is provided for research and analysis. The strategy committed to delivering improved secure access to NHS data for research through Secure Data Environments funded by the Data for R&D programme.
Storing data in SDEs enables the NHS to uphold the highest privacy and security standards and means approved users can access data without it leaving the environment.
Investments in the NHS Research SDE Network are being designed to operate smoothly with one another, unified by a Community of Practice to inform Data Access Policy and build on prior investments including, where lawful, the use of information from shared care record solutions.
Want to find out more about the NHS Research SDE Network?
Click here to view the Gateway collections for all 12 SDEs.
In conversation with Chris Russell and Emily Jefferson
Chris and Emily discuss data access, the Gateway and the NHS Research SDE Network, recorded at the Health Data User Group conference in London.