The West Midlands Secure Data Environment (WMSDE) is a data storage and access platform that improves patient care by delivering innovation sooner. It is part of the national Data for Research and Development programme and is one of several regional platforms in the NHS Secure Data Environment network.

How does the WMSDE work?

The WMSDE works with universities and other experts in the West Midlands to provide secure data for clinical trials and studies.

Approved users can access appropriate information for analysis, with the NHS tightly controlling what they see. So the WMSDE maintains the highest standards of NHS data security while making research more efficient.

Previously, this process has been time-consuming and costly, making patients wait longer for new treatments. The importance of research being delivered quickly was highlighted during COVID-19, and the Data Saves Lives Strategy outlines how secure data environments will support this consistently.

How it will benefit the West Midlands

The West Midlands has one of the most diverse populations in the country. There is significant disparity in health and care access and health inequalities across the region, with poor health outcomes.

Due to our population’s diversity, hospitals and other health and social care providers in the region have a substantial wealth of health and social care data spanning a number of decades. This can provide much-needed insight into an extensive range of diseases and health conditions across different ethnicities and ages, including children and young people.

Thanks to the rich history of research carried out through our network of universities, hospitals, and other health and care-related bodies, organisations in the West Midlands have resources available to catalyse activities that will drive quality improvement, innovation and discovery.

The West Midlands Secure Data Environment will bring together this existing collective knowledge and provide the conditions for further growth.

It will support the development of a ‘learning health system’ for the region, in which information collected through everyday processes – such as blood tests, scans and biopsies – is analysed, learned from and used to improve people’s care.

It will benefit people locally and right across our region by helping us understand and improve healthcare in those parts of the West Midlands with the greatest need. What’s more, it will improve the quality of healthcare for everyone in our region, making it more efficient and more equitable for all.

Who is involved?

The WMSDE is managed by the NHS, covering six integrated care systems (ICSs) and a population of 6.2 million people:

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS

We are a partnership of NHS and local government organisations, alongside independent and voluntary sector groups, working closely to transform health and care services to deliver world class care that meets the current and future needs of our rural and urban populations.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS

The ICS is a partnership of NHS, council, voluntary and community organisations with a shared vision to make Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent the healthiest place to live and work.

 

Black Country ICS

Our Integrated Care System (ICS), known as Healthier Futures, brings providers and commissioners of NHS services together with local authorities and other local partners to plan and deliver joined-up health and care services, and to improve the lives of people who live and work in the Black Country.

 

Birmingham and Solihull ICS

We’re bringing together our local NHS, councils and voluntary, community and faith sectors so we can better serve the 1.3 million people in Birmingham and Solihull. Together we are Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System (ICS), united by our vision to make our area the healthiest place to live and work, driving equity in life chances and health outcomes for everyone.

 

Coventry and Warwickshire ICS

Together, we are sharing knowledge and pooling resources. And together, we have a plan for improving health and care. We are working to help everyone lead healthier and happier lives, be part of a strong community and benefit from effective and sustainable health and care services where and when they need them most.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICS

From family doctors, to mental health staff, community teams and our major hospitals, we’re using our collective resources, skills and expertise to make care and support better for our residents across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. 

 

• Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS

  We are a partnership of NHS and local government organisations, alongside independent and voluntary sector groups, working closely to transform health and care services to deliver world class care that meets the current and future needs of our rural and urban populations.

• Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS

  The ICS is a partnership of NHS, council, voluntary and community organisations with a shared vision to make Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent the healthiest place to live and work.

   

• Black Country ICS

  Our Integrated Care System (ICS), known as Healthier Futures, brings providers and commissioners of NHS services together with local authorities and other local partners to plan and deliver joined-up health and care services, and to improve the lives of people who live and work in the Black Country.

   

• Birmingham and Solihull ICS

  We’re bringing together our local NHS, councils and voluntary, community and faith sectors so we can better serve the 1.3 million people in Birmingham and Solihull. Together we are Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System (ICS), united by our vision to make our area the healthiest place to live and work, driving equity in life chances and health outcomes for everyone.

   

• Coventry and Warwickshire ICS

  Together, we are sharing knowledge and pooling resources. And together, we have a plan for improving health and care. We are working to help everyone lead healthier and happier lives, be part of a strong community and benefit from effective and sustainable health and care services where and when they need them most.

• Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICS

  From family doctors, to mental health staff, community teams and our major hospitals, we’re using our collective resources, skills and expertise to make care and support better for our residents across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. 

   

Integrated Care Systems

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS

Black Country ICS

Birmingham and Solihull ICS

Coventry and Warwickshire ICS

Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICS

The WMSDE has an Executive Board that oversees the programme. The programme is split across seven key areas, with each having one or two Chairs and a team of specialists working within it.

All workstreams will have Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) representation. People’s views are important for every decision taken by the West Midlands Secure Data Environment.

A senior team manages the overall programme.

Professor Simon Ball
– Senior Responsible Officer

Simon is the WMSDE Senior Responsible Officer and Chair of the Executive Board. Simon chairs the programme’s Executive Board meetings.

Hilary Fanning
– Programme Director

Hilary is the Director of Research Development and Innovation at UHB. Hilary leads the WMSDE programme.

For more information, visit the frequently asked questions (FAQs), get involved and contact us pages.

The bigger picture

Find out how your information makes a difference by watching the animation below. You can also discover more by visiting patientdata.org.uk.