Wessex Secure Data Environment Pre-Release platform achieves key milestone in data security and research readiness
The Wessex Secure Data Environment (SDE) is pleased to announce the pre-release launch of its secure research platform, marking a significant step toward advancing health research in the Wessex region.
The Wessex SDE is an NHS-led platform that will provide an online environment for secure, privacy-protected access to health data. It will unlock the potential of NHS patient data to support research, create life-saving new treatments and medicines, and bring wider benefits to patients and our NHS.
The Pre-Release SDE launch marks the readiness of the technical platform to hold data, and assurance that it meets stringent data protection and security standards for handling NHS data.
The Pre-Release SDE platform will initially be accessible to a limited group of authorised researchers through a Platform as a Service’ (PaaS) model. Researchers will be required to obtain separate governance approvals to use the platform, including NHS Health Research Authority (HRA) consent or equivalent ethical and legal clearances.
Interim governance and quality oversight for the Pre-Release SDE is being provided by the Data Access Committee (DAC) at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, while a permanent governance framework is finalised.
During the Pre-Release SDE phase of operation the SDE team will finalise the operational governance model and undertake user testing. Adoption of a standalone governance framework and full release of the Wessex SDE is planned for end March 2025.