A landmark first dataset has been onboarded to a new regional research platform.
The data from University Hospital Southampton (UHS) will support improvements in treatment for bladder cancer.
The milestone confirms the Wessex Secure Data Environment (SDE) is operational. It comes ahead of the platform’s full launch.
The Wessex SDE is led by UHS in partnership with the University of Southampton. It is supported by Wessex Health Partners and involves other NHS and university partners across the region.
The SDE’s leadership team includes Professor Chris Kipps from the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The platform will create new opportunities for researchers in the BRC’s Data, Health and Society theme.
What are Secure Data Environments?
Secure Data Environments (SDEs) are data storage and access platforms.
They uphold the highest standards of privacy and security of NHS health and social care data. Approved users can access secure data for research and analysis without leaving the environment.
The Wessex SDE covers around five million people in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Dorset. It is part of a country-wide network.
The data onboarding milestone provides real-world demonstration of the SDE’s capability. It shows its readiness to support advanced research.
Improving bladder cancer treatment
Bladder cancer affects around 10,000 people in the UK each year. The disease is more common in older adults.
Each year, between 100 and 150 people with bladder cancer are treated at UHS.
However, bladder cancer is a complex disease. Good diagnosis and care depend on a cooperative approach across many teams. These include nursing, urology, medical and clinical oncology, radiology and pathology.
This results in complex and diverse data records across different hospital systems. Analysis is time-consuming as these records are not well connected.
Unlocking potential
The first dataset onboarded into the SDE includes details from 78 UHS patients. This data, which has been routinely collected and de-identified, is from multiple departments. Here, it is brought together into a single dataset.
Researchers will use the data in a study looking at survival rates and treatments for a serious and aggressive form of bladder cancer.
They are benchmarking compliance with national gold standard treatment options. This will help ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
It could also lead to new research hypotheses being generated for future studies.
The study is led by Professor Simon Crabb from the University of Southampton. He is also an Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology at UHS.
“Bladder cancer is a difficult disease to treat effectively”, Prof Crabb explained. “It requires a cooperative approach across multiple medical specialties.
“By bringing together the information held at UHS, across complex data systems, we will be able to consider improvements to patient diagnostic and care pathways.
“It is really exciting to see the SDE approach starting to unlock potential that has previously been impossible to harness.”
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