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May 15, 2025

Welcome to this special edition of NewsBytes in which we reflect on our journey so far and look ahead to exciting future possibilities. Read how the West Midlands SDE has progressed to being one of the first regional SDEs to become…

March 24, 2025

Look out for the ‘Clean Air’ video posted on social media as part of the national ‘Powered by NHS Data’ campaign. The video highlights the hidden threat to children’s health and how NHS data is contributing to the solution.  Help spread…

March 24, 2025

NHS DigiTrials is launching a new round of expressions of interest for clinical trials, building on its recent success in recruiting 1.3m volunteers for clinical trials and health research to date. The service helps researchers identify and contact suitable NHS patients,…

March 21, 2025

Welcome to the March 2025 edition of NewsBytes – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment. This month we look at work to improve SDEs for developing AI health innovation and cover what happened at our public,…

March 6, 2025

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February 13, 2025

The data use register is a summary of the research projects that have been given approval to use health data through the West Midlands Secure Data Environment. It shows what researchers are doing with the data so patients and members of…

January 20, 2025

Welcome to the January 2025 edition of NewsBytes – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment. This month we cover the public and patient event happening in January, development projects awarded grant funding and an update on the…

January 2, 2025

The NHS Research Secure Data Environment (SDE) Network is advertising opportunities for researchers and support staff to get involved in user research. The image below provides details of the opportunities taking place between now and March 2025, including: the aim of the…

January 2, 2025

NHS England is looking to recruit a diverse group of ten individuals committed to supporting how we use data across health and social care. As patient and public voice partners, they will join NHS England’s Patient and Public Engagement and Communications group to…

November 29, 2024

In the latest Health Innovation West Midlands newsletter: the West Midlands is recognised as a top three city of innovation and launch of the Inclusive Health Programme. Health Innovation West Midlands November 2024-2Download

November 28, 2024

Welcome to the November 2024 edition of NewsBytes – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment. This month we cover the Sudlow Review and the West Midlands SDE’s continued growth. We also have the latest in our…

November 21, 2024

DaRe2THINK, an innovative approach to delivering remote clinical trials in primary care, has reached a major milestone of recruiting more than 1,000 patients. The pioneering approach, which will be developed further in the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (SDE), will be…

November 13, 2024

Launching publication of her review, Professor Cathie Sudlow stressed the importance of “maximising the benefits to society from the rich abundance of health data in the UK”. And as NHS England National Director of Transformation, Vin Diwakar, highlighted, the review calls…

November 8, 2024

An independent review led by Health Data Research UK’s Chief Scientist, Professor Cathie Sudlow, has highlighted the complexities and inefficiencies impeding the use of health data in the UK. The Sudlow Review – ‘Uniting Health Data in the UK’ – says…

November 6, 2024

The enhanced Health Data Research Gateway is now live, featuring improved integration with the NHS Research Secure Data Environment Network. The collaboration between NHS England and Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) is transforming how researchers: discover NHS datasets navigate data…

November 5, 2024

In the latest edition of the Health Innovation West Midlands newsletter: Birmingham Tech Week and a call for assessors by the NHS Innovation Accelerator programme Health Innovation West Midlands October 2024Download

October 7, 2024

The West Midlands Secure Data Environment (SDE) is supporting an upcoming event aimed at increasing the involvement of children and young people in research. This November, the Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (GOSH BRC) will host a gathering of…

October 7, 2024

Read all the latest news from Health Innovation West Midlands (HIWM) in the September 2024 edition, including the appointment of a new clinical director. | Latest Updates from HIWM Health Innovation West Midlands Newsletter September 2024Download

September 4, 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of NewsBytes for September2024 – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE). This month we outline our Data Access Request process, share another PPAG vlog and look at how…

August 7, 2024

Hilary Fanning, NHS England Data for Research and Development Programme Senior Responsible Officer, looks at how the programme fits with government plans for improving healthcare.

August 7, 2024

The West Midlands Secure Data Environment (SDE) is supporting a major new research initiative aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment and care for prostate cancer patients. In the first inter-SDE collaboration, West Midlands, North West and London SDEs are working with charity…

July 22, 2024

Researchers have found that eye scans can identify signs of Parkinson’s disease up to seven years before symptoms even appear. Watch Paul Sinha, comedian and star of TV quiz programme ‘The Chase’, explain how NHS data has helped make this possible.

July 22, 2024

The West Midlands SDE had a strong presence at this year’s HDR UK Midlands annual conference. Professor Simon Ball Around 150 people from the Midlands and beyond attended the event – including delegates from as far as Taiwan and Australia – underlining…

July 19, 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of NewsBytes for July 2024 – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE). In this edition, we are focusing on our PPI, communications and engagement activities. NewsBytes July 24Download

July 9, 2024

West Midlands SDE brochure Find out what the SDE offers, the process involved in requesting access to data, and how charges are determined. Back to Resources

July 9, 2024

West Midlands SDE Summary Engagement ReportV1 28 March 2025 West Midlands SDE Full Engagement ReportV1_28 March 2025 Back to Resources

July 9, 2024

For your patients Patient and public leafletFind out how we can all make a difference by being part of a bigger health story Patient and public posterRead about the important part you play in saving lives Patient and public presentationDiscover how…

July 9, 2024

Back to Resources

July 9, 2024

For your patients Patient and public leaflet Find out how we can all make a difference by being part of a bigger health story Patient and public poster Read about the important part you play in saving lives Patient and public…

July 9, 2024

Ruth’s Story “I thought I was on my own for the longest time and it’s only now that I see a light – that there’s a possibility for some kind of a treatment in my lifetime.“ Ruth Hereford is a member…

July 9, 2024

Patient and Public Advisory Group vlogs In this series of video logs, or vlogs, members of our Patient and Public Advisory Group (PPAG) explore different aspects of the West Midlands SDE from a patient and public point of view. You can…

July 8, 2024

Data Trust Committee application Data user request Opt-out leaflet Opting out locally Opting out nationally Patient and Public Advisory Committee application .imageContent .wrapper{ display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); grid-column-gap: 2rem; grid-row-gap: 2rem; text-align: center; } .imageContent .wrapper .internalContent h3 { font-size:18px;…

July 7, 2024

Videos/Vlogs/Animations Patient stories Leaflets and posters Use cases GP and provider toolkits Forms Reports Catalogues/Documents .imageContent .wrapper{ display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); grid-column-gap: 2rem; grid-row-gap: 2rem; text-align: center; } .imageContent .wrapper .internalContent h3 { font-size:18px; color:white; padding:0; margin:0; } .imageContent .wrapper…

June 25, 2024

Our data catalogue lists the datasets currently held in the West Midlands Secure Data Environment. We will update this regularly as new data becomes available. These datasets are available on the HDR UK Gateway, which can be accessed at: Data Custodian – Health…

June 3, 2024

The West Midlands SDE 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…

June 3, 2024

Health Innovation West Midlands (HIWM) has launched ‘Appreciating Health and Care’, a practical guide for the health and social care sector, enabling professionals from across the UK to adopt an appreciative inquiry approach in the workplace. HIWM, Advancing Quality Alliance (Aqua)…

April 11, 2024

The Data Saves Lives strategy, published summer 2022, set out how NHS data could bring benefits to all parts of health and social care – from care on the frontline to pioneers driving cutting-edge research. As part of delivering the strategy,…

April 10, 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of NewsBytes for April 2024 – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE). In this edition, read about how data flows through the SDE and the upcoming large-scale public…

March 7, 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of NewsBytes – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE). In this edition, read about what it’s like being part of our Patient and Public Advisory Group (PPAG) and…

February 6, 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of NewsBytes – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE).In this edition, read about the West Midlands SDE receiving Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG) approval, the creation of a Data…

January 29, 2024

Opting out of research and health and care service planning supported through the West Midlands Secure Data Environment We understand there might be times when you would prefer that your health information was not used for research and health and care…

January 9, 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of NewsBytes – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (WMSDE). In this edition, we take an in-depth look at the commercial workstream, the CAG/HRA application being submitted and updates as targeted…

December 1, 2023

Welcome to the latest edition of NewsBytes – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (WMSDE). In this edition, we take an in-depth look at the data and data standards workstream, WMSDE hosting a national event in…

October 31, 2023

Health Innovation West Midlands’ (formerly the West Midlands Academic Health Science Network) mission is to support the development of transformational health innovations and accelerate the adoption and spread of improvement solutions demonstrated to deliver patient benefit. In this issue of the…

October 31, 2023

Welcome to the latest edition of NewsBytes – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (WMSDE).In this edition, we take an in-depth look at the technical design authority workstream, Hilary Fanning, Programme Director, receiving an Honorary MBE…

September 29, 2023

Welcome to the September edition of NewsBytes – the internal stakeholder newsletter of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (WMSDE). In this edition, we take an in-depth look at the patient and public involvement, communications and engagement workstream, the national network…

September 4, 2023

A digital tool designed to support people with diabetes manage their condition is now available thanks to research.  Data shows that personalised support improves the health of people with type 2 diabetes. Find out more at https://digital.nhs.uk/poweredbydata or view some more stories…

August 31, 2023

In this August edition, we take an in-depth look at what’s happening in the information governance and ethics workstream, mark a major technical milestone for the programme, and highlight the steps being taken to create a commercial framework for the WMSDE.…

August 29, 2023

In this issue of the AHSN newsletter, you’ll find information on the AHSN’s involvement in the HSJ Awards and TedxNHS. There’s also a case study on how the network supported innovator VasQ. WMAHSN Update – August 2023 For information and news…

August 14, 2023

Executive Board Member Paul is Chief Medical Officer for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB), with particular responsibility for health inequalities, prevention, population health management and long-term conditions. Paul is also the ICB’s Deputy Chief Executive.

August 4, 2023

What is the Data Trust Committee (DTC)? The committee is made up of members of the public from across the West Midlands who review applications from research teams to use health data stored in the West Midlands Secure Data Environment. Why…

August 4, 2023

The Data workstream is working together with partners regionally to discuss, review and agree West Midlands Secure Data Environment data standards and models. In addition to this, the team is working on a data roadmap, detailing datasets that will be uploaded…

August 4, 2023

The West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE) will give us the opportunity to open up clinical trials to everyone in our local communities. That’s hugely important because it will allow us to properly address some of the health inequalities…

August 4, 2023

The purpose of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE) is to improve people’s health and care through research, by enabling ethical, legal and publicly endorsed access to de-identified health data. Health and care planners might also use health…

August 4, 2023

The Commercial workstream has two main aims: To develop a route to sustainability of the platform To ensure the operating processes align with NHS England’s Value Sharing Framework. Value Sharing Framework The Value Sharing Framework for NHS data partnerships sets out…

July 27, 2023

In this issue of the AHSN newsletter, you’ll find information on the Innovate UK Awards shortlist, Improving Safety Culture Guide, project spotlights on XprESS and All Systems Ergo. There’s also news on the NIA health inequalities call and the NHS clinical…

July 26, 2023

Discover the hidden threat to children’s health and how NHS data is contributing to the solution. Watch this video to learn how cities like Bradford are implementing clean air zones to ensure better air quality and help our children breathe easier.…

July 26, 2023

NHS data has provided game-changing insight into cervical cancer prevention. Watch this video to understand more about the life-saving potential of NHS data and the remarkable impact it has on our fight against cervical cancer. NHS data has provided game-changing insight…

July 24, 2023

In this issue of the AHSN newsletter, you’ll find information on the AHSN’s Annual Impact Report, their latest human factors podcast, my Pneumothorax journey, the innovator support offer to deliver a Net Zero NHS, a digital inhaler challenge and subsidised tickets…

July 14, 2023

The NHS Research Secure Data Environment (SDE) Network is made up of 12 SDEs that provide secure access to healthcare data for research and innovation. Members of the network include the England SDE, which covers the whole of the country. There…

July 14, 2023

See how NHS data is transforming healthcare Did you know that your NHS data helps save and improve lives across the country? A series of powerful short films shows how NHS data is making breakthroughs possible – from protecting children with…

July 13, 2023

Click on the links below to discover how to find out about our governance, view our data road map and metadata catalogue, make a data request, and keep up with the latest news and events. Our metadata catalogue lists the datasets…

July 13, 2023

By browsing through the links below, as a member of the public you’ll be able to learn about the importance of your health and care information and how it’s kept safe. There are also details on your local area, how you…

July 12, 2023

This is the first edition of ‘NewsBytes’ – the West Midlands Secure Data Environment newsletter for internal stakeholders.

July 12, 2023

This is the second edition of NewsBytes – the West Midlands Secure Data Environment newsletter for internal stakeholders. In this edition, we put the spotlight on clinical trials and how the WMSDE will use digital tools to build them into routine…

July 11, 2023

Partners involved Health and care services The West Midlands SDE covers six integrated care systems (ICSs) in the West Midlands. They include 848 health and care providers. The ICSs are: Universities The West Midlands SDE is supported by academic institutions within…

July 11, 2023

There will always be opportunities for you to get involved with the West Midlands Secure Data Environment. Patient and Public Advisory Group Patients and the public are essential to all decision making for the programme. We want to bring together and…

July 11, 2023

The West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE) allows researchers to analyse your health and care information to find new medicines and treatments – faster and more efficiently than ever before. This will improve care for everyone, including you, your…

July 11, 2023

NHS health professionals collect and use patient data every day. This helps you get the right care at the right time by allowing doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to find, understand and treat conditions earlier. Every x-ray, blood test result…

July 11, 2023

Secure Data Environments for research will be the primary way of accessing data, although there may be exemptions in very specific circumstances, such as consented clinical trials. In these cases, the highest standards of security and confidentiality will continue to apply.…

July 11, 2023

What are secure data environments? Secure data environments (SDEs) are data storage and access platforms that uphold the highest standards of privacy and security of NHS health and social care data when used for research and development. They allow only approved…

July 11, 2023

Communications and engagement experts have an important role to: ensure patients and the public are always seen, heard and involved in decision making keep partners and the public updated on key developments answer questions from patients, the public, partners and the…

July 11, 2023

The Technical Design Authority brings together technical IT and data experts from across the West Midlands region who review, agree, and implement the technical infrastructure of the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE) platform. Built to align with the…

June 22, 2023

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is a mix of rural and urban areas, with extremes of affluence and deprivation. Staffordshire as a whole is one of the West Midlands’ most important economies – second only to Birmingham. Its central location has enabled it…

June 22, 2023

Being on the Wales-England border, we also provide some hospital services for people from the Welsh health system who live outside our area. Some residents in mid Wales rely on our services, particularly at the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal hospitals…

June 22, 2023

We serve a population of 806,000 people, with a mix of urban and rurally dispersed communities across two of the largest counties in England, covering 1,500 square miles. We have the smallest population in the West Midlands, with our communities being…

June 22, 2023

The Black Country is a place where 1.2 million people live in nearly 500,000 homes on about 138 square miles of land. Heavy industry grew up in the area thanks to the abundance of local deposits of coal and iron ore,…

June 22, 2023

Birmingham is Britain’s second largest city. It has a rich tapestry of diversity, with more than 100 spoken languages. It is often referred to as Europe’s youngest city, with more than 40 per cent of the population being under 25. With…

June 22, 2023

Coventry is a diverse and growing city with a fairly young population. Although part of the West Midlands conurbation, it is separated by a mostly rural area and benefits from large areas of green space. Warwickshire, meanwhile, is a mixture of…

June 19, 2023

All potential users of data on the platform will need to go through a data access request process. This is to ensure the data request and the requester meet requirements in line with the Five Safes framework. Importantly, this process will…

November 21, 2022

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November 21, 2022

Accessibility statement for westmidlandssde.nhs.uk This accessibility statement applies to the West Midlands Secure Data Environment website: westmidlandssde.nhs.uk. The website is managed by the West Midlands Secure Data Environment and is hosted by NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit (NHS ML)…

November 3, 2022

The West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE) 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…

August 14, 2023

Executive Board Member Clara is Chief Medical Officer for Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board. Her role is to ensure high-quality and equitable patient care is delivered by collaborative system partners while also supporting the system’s goals of enhancing productivity and…

August 14, 2023

Executive Board Member Ananta is Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Black Country Integrated Care Board.

August 14, 2023

Executive Board Member Matthew is the Clinical Director for the Clinical Research Network West Midlands and a Gastroenterologist based at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

August 14, 2023

Executive Board Member Sharon is Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB). She holds research and development in her portfolio of work for the ICB.

August 14, 2023

Chair of the Executive Board Simon is the West Midlands Secure Data Environment Senior Responsible Officer and Chair of the Executive Board. He is a Consultant Nephrologist at University Hospitals Birmingham, having previously been Chief Medical Officer at the trust and…

November 2, 2022

July 11, 2023

Programme Manager Amy is a Programme Manager in the Research and Development Department at University Hospitals Birmingham.

October 20, 2022

July 11, 2023

Strategic Communications Lead Charlie is Head of Communications and Engagement for NHS Arden and GEM Commissioning Support Unit.

October 19, 2022

If you would like to know more about the West Midlands Secure Data Environment, please contact us at the email address or phone number below. You’ll also find more information about supporting our work on the get involved page. Email: WMSDE@uhb.nhs.uk…

July 11, 2023

Chair of the Commercial workstream Guy is Industrial Partnerships and Intellectual Property Manager at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

July 11, 2023

Co-Chair of the Information Governance and Ethics workstream Masood is a GP Partner as well as Medical Director and Chief Clinical Information Officer for Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB).

October 18, 2022

Learn what the West Midlands Secure Data Environment does and who is involved Read about us Your health and care information can save lives in the West Midlands Discover how See how researchers are using your information – and why Our…

July 11, 2023

Digital Clinical Trials Lead Dipak is Professor of Cardiology at the University of Birmingham and Consultant Cardiologist at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust.

July 11, 2023

Chair of the Data workstream Krish is the Joint Director for the Centre for Health Data Science and Deputy Director for the Institute of Applied Health Research at University of Birmingham.

October 18, 2022

This privacy notice describes what we do with your personal information for the purposes of health and care research within the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (WMSDE). It tells you what information we collect about you, how we store it, how…