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The GM Secure Data Environment (SDE)
How data from the GM Care Record is being used by researchers for population health research
Greater Manchester’s Secure Data Environment (GM SDE) is being designed to unlock the potential of health data to support advanced research and development in health and care, enabled by the highest standards of data protection and governance.
Secure Data Environments (SDEs) are highly secure computing environments that provide access to health data to use in health and care research. Utilising anonymised primary care data from the GM Care Record, linked with other key datasets (e.g. secondary care), Health Innovation Manchester (HInM) is developing the GM SDE service and infrastructure in partnership with NHS GM Integrated Care Board (ICB) and University of Manchester.
The GM SDE will provide the infrastructure and analytical tools for clinical trials, real world studies, translational research, epidemiological studies and health systems research here in GM for the benefit of our citizens.
The SDE is a secure ‘box’ within the existing GM ICS Advanced Data Science Platform (ADSP) that has the required safety and security measures in place to grant access to health and care data for research and development purposes. The technology supporting the GM SDE within the ADSP– referred to as ‘Elabs’ – has been tested and developed by the University of Manchester.
Our vision for the Secure Data Environment is ambitious:
- Improved Health Outcomes: By enabling cutting-edge research, the GM SDE is helping to address major health challenges faced by the population of Greater Manchester.
- Economic Growth: Through collaboration with the life sciences and tech sectors, the SDE is driving innovation, creating jobs, and furthering economic development.
- Data-Driven Care: The insights generated through the GM SDE and related platforms will support more personalised, effective care, improving health outcomes for millions of people.
The platform is backed by £2.5 million from NHS England and is part of the Northwest SDE federation, ensuring its development as a leading resource for health research. Researchers can rely on the SDE to provide the infrastructure, tools, and governance needed to conduct pioneering studies that translate into real-world health improvements.
Exemplar projects include:
- Virtual Wards: Exploring the early impacts of virtual wards in Greater Manchester, a comparative analysis.
- Diabetes Research: Using advanced data analytics to detect early signs of diabetes and heart failure.
- Cancer Care: Managing long-term cancer survivors and optimising lung cancer screening for underserved communities
Potential users of data in the GM SDE will need to go through a data access request process to ensure the data request and the requester meet requirements in line with the Five Safes framework. The Five Safes are a set of standards which enable data services to provide safe research access to data.
The principles are:
1. Safe Data: data is treated to protect any confidentiality concerns.
2. Safe Research: research projects are approved by data owners for the public good.
3. Safe People: researchers are trained and authorised to use data safely.
4. Safe Settings: a SecureLab environment prevents unauthorised use.
5. Safe Outputs: screened and approved outputs that are non-disclosive.
Read more information for the public on how data from the GM Care Record, utilising the GM SDE, supports care and research in Greater Manchester: https://gmwearebettertogether.com/
For more information on the GM SDE, please contact: corporateoffice@healthinnovationmanchester.com