Secure Data Environments are data storage and access platforms, which uphold the highest standards of privacy and security of NHS health and social care data when used for research and analysis.
What is a Secure Data Environment?
Turning data into discovery
The Wessex SDE is owned and run by the NHS. It gives researchers fast, expert-supported access to real-world health data – enabling discoveries that improve care and strengthen the NHS.
The SDE is a data storage and access cloud computing platform where large amounts of patient health data can be stored, linked together, and accessed by approved researchers. It has been built to the highest privacy and security standards for NHS data.
The NHS has full control over who can access the data, the information that users can see, the actions that users can perform with the data, and the results of analysis that users can take out. Researchers will not see confidential patient information.
We’re part of the NHS Research SDE Network, which provides consistent, trusted routes for approved research across England.
Patients and the public first
Every project in the Wessex SDE must deliver clear public benefit. That is the foundation of how we work and why public partnership is built into the heart of the service.
Alongside strict legal and regulatory safeguards, we operate within a social licence – a shared agreement, co-designed with people across Wessex, about how NHS data should be used and the limits of what is acceptable. This ensures that decisions reflect public expectations, not just technical standards.
Trust is not a one-off exercise. It is an ongoing, active process. An active group of public contributors – our Digital Critical Friends – takes part in key decisions, reviews new policies, and help shape how the SDE evolves. Their involvement helps turn principles into practice and keeps us accountable to the NHS patients and members of the public whose data makes this work possible.
Why Secure Data Environments matter
The UK holds one of the most complete sets of health records in the world – a unique public resource that, when used safely, helps improve care, prevent illness, and support new discoveries.
Unlocking this potential has been a challenge, as vital information is scattered across a maze of disconnected NHS systems and inconsistent data-sharing practices nationwide.
The NHS is changing this. Through the Data Saves Lives strategy, it is strengthening public confidence in how data is used and protected by moving from data sharing to secure data access. Instead of sending datasets between organisations, approved researchers now access data within SDEs.
All SDEs follow the nationally recognised Five Safes Framework – Safe People, Safe Projects, Safe Data, Safe Settings and Safe Outputs – to make sure data is used responsibly, securely and only for approved research.
What makes the Wessex SDE different
We are practical partners in high-impact research.
The Wessex SDE supports major national studies in areas such as dementia, cancer, emergency care, and bowel disease — helping to improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for the public. By combining high-quality data with clinical expertise and public involvement, we accelerate health innovation for real-world impact and deliver research that makes a difference for patients and the NHS.
The Wessex SDE’s research focus is shaped by, and draws on, the distinct strengths of our region: Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Dorset, which are home to around three million people.
Our population is diverse, spanning large urban centres, rural and coastal communities, significant armed forces and veteran populations, university towns, areas of deprivation, and growing numbers of people living with long-term conditions. This mix reflects many of the health challenges faced across England, making Wessex an ideal place to support research that improves care both locally and nationally.
Southern SDE Partnership
We are part of the Southern SDE Partnership, uniting three leading NHS Secure Data Environments across the South of England.
The South West, Wessex, and Kent, Medway and Sussex SDEs are working together to make NHS data access simpler, faster, and more consistent. By streamlining the process for researchers and upholding robust governance, transparency, and public trust, we’re helping unlock the power of health data for everyone.
We are part of a national network.
The Wessex SDE is part of the NHS Research SDE Network covering England. NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care are creating this network so health data can be used more safely, with stronger privacy protections, public oversight, and delivering clear public benefit.
This work is part of national commitments to improve trust in how NHS data is used, including providing secure access rather than sharing data, reducing information leaving the NHS, and applying the Five Safes Framework. All SDEs are NHS-owned and follow the same rules to support research that benefits patients.
Meet the Wessex SDE team
The Wessex SDE is led by a senior team drawn from across the NHS, academia, and data science. Together, they oversee the strategy, operations and governance of the service, making sure our work delivers public benefit, supports high-quality research and meets the highest standards of security and transparency.
Prof. Christopher Kipps
Senior Responsible Officer
Chris is a consultant neurologist with an active research programme in dementia and long-term neurological conditions.
Prof. James Batchelor
Senior Programme and Technical Advisor
James is the University of Southampton's Professorial Fellow of Clinical Informatics and Healthcare Innovation.
Mark Heffernan
Managing Director
Mark leads the Wessex SDE, overseeing its strategy, partnerships and operations to enable secure, data-enabled research that benefits patients, the NHS and the wider research community.
Dr Rachel Chappell
Chair of the Wessex DAC & SDE Delivery and Centre of Excellence Lead
Rachel is Chair of the Wessex Data Access Committee and Manager of the Southampton Emerging Therapies and Technologies (SETT) Centre at University Hospital Southampton.
Kerry Thompson
Data Partnerships Lead
Kerry looks after relationships with NHS organisations and data partners, helping expand the data available for research while ensuring participating organisations realise value from their involvement.
Dr Ashley Heinson
Research Technology Services Lead
Ashley looks after the SDE’s secure cloud computing platform. This includes the complaint data workflows and secure technical services that enable approved researchers to access, manage and analyse data safely within the SDE.
Cai Davis
Data and Technology Lead
Cai leads the data and technology function, developing the platforms, data assets and analytical capabilities that support secure health data research.
Mike Dahl
Research Delivery Lead
Mike coordinates research delivery, project data flows, resources and study set-up, helping researchers move efficiently from ideas to delivery.
Shrayan Banerjee
Governance, Risk and Information Assurance Lead
Shrayan leads on information governance, research governance and assurance, ensuring data can be accessed safely, ethically and in line with legal and regulatory requirements.
Marc Goodman
Commercial, Partnerships and Service Development Lead
Marc leads the commercial function for the Wessex SDE, driving business development, service development and commercial growth across the organisation. He works with NHS organisations, universities, charities and industry to develop sustainable opportunities that expand access to secure health data research and maximise the value of the SDE's services.
Huw Rees
Finance and Sustainability Lead
Huw leads financial planning and sustainability, helping ensure the Wessex SDE remains a financially robust and sustainable research infrastructure.
Ralph Scott
Communications, Engagement and Public Involvement Advisor
Ralph Advises the Wessex SDE on strategic communications, public involvement and stakeholder engagement, helping build public trust, support researchers and demonstrate the impact of data-enabled research.
Our partners
We collaborate with partners from the technology, industry, data, and research sectors as well as NHS, academic, and third sector sectors.
