Enabling research that’s faster, fairer, safer

The South West Secure Data Environment (SDE) provides an innovative and efficient approach to conducting research with millions of people’s health and care records, while maximising privacy and security.
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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.
What is a Secure Data Environment (SDE)?
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How is data protected in the South West SDE?

Find out how we secure your data so it can contribute to groundbreaking research while protecting your confidentiality.
How is data protected in the South West SDE?
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What research does the South West SDE enable?

From improving clinical trials to enabling population studies, the South West SDE opens up new possibilities to use health and care data for research.
What research does the South West SDE enable?
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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.
How are the public involved in the South West SDE?

Working in partnership

The South West SDE has been developed by a consortium of partners across the region, including NHS bodies, local authorities, universities and research groups.

The South West SDE is part of the NHS Research Secure Data Environment Network. The network helps approved researchers by simplifying and accelerating secure access to the health and social care data they need.

Map of regions covered