Enabling research that’s faster, fairer, safer

The South West Secure Data Environment (SDE) will provide an innovative and efficient approach to conducting research with millions of people’s health and care records, while maximising privacy and security. The SDE will go live in early 2026.

Find out more about us

A healthcare worker discusses with two patients

What is a Secure Data Environment (SDE)?

Secure Data Environments, or SDEs, are online research platforms. They allow approved researchers to analyse routinely collected health and social care data.

How will data be protected in the South West SDE?

Find out how we will secure your data so it can contribute to groundbreaking research while protecting your confidentiality.

What research will the South West SDE enable?

From improving clinical trials to enabling population studies, the South West SDE will open new possibilities to use health and care data for research.

A group of women sit outside together having a hot drink and a chat

How are the public involved in the South West SDE?

Public voices are embedded at the heart of decisions about how NHS data is accessed and used through the South West SDE.

Meet the team

Amanda, one of our Digital Critical Friends

Amanda Digital Critical Friend

Amy Dillon Data Access Lead, University of Bristol

Andy Gibson Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Lead, University of the West of England

Andy Mayne Technology Lead, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Bridget Aduak Bassey Digital Critical Friend

Charlie Kenward Research Clinical Lead, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board

Chrissie Walker Senior Research Manager, University of Exeter

Harriet Bennett Project Manager, Health Innovation South West

Hazel Davies Research Manager, University of Exeter

Henry Ireland Programme Director, University of Exeter

Jennifer Digital Critical Friend

Karim Kamara Digital Critical Friend

Katalin Bagi Research Portfolio Manager, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board

Mary, one of our Digital Critical Friends

Mary Digital Critical Friend

Michael Byatt Digital Critical Friend

Mina, one of our Digital Critical Friends

Mina Digital Critical Friend

Nick Kennedy Chief Research Information Officer, Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust

Rachel Denholm Research Lead, University of Bristol

Zoe Trinder-Widdess Communications Lead, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West

Our partners

Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board 

Bristol Health Partners

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board 

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board

Devon Integrated Care Board

Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board

HDR-UK South West 

Health Innovation South West

Health Innovation West of England

NHS England – South West

NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula

NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West

NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre

NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre

Somerset Integrated Care Board

South West Councils

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

University of Bath

University of Bristol

University of Exeter