Meet the team
Meet the team behind the Lancashire and South Cumbria Secure Data Environment Programme
Our team brings together experts from diverse fields, including clinicians, researchers, technologists, and data protection specialists, all working towards a shared goal: building essential digital healthcare infrastructure. We are committed to excellence in frontline care, system-wide improvements, and research, ensuring that both healthcare professionals and the public have the information they need to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Professor Vishnu V Chandrabalan FRCS MD
Vishnu is a dynamic and accomplished professional with a passion for innovation in healthcare and digital transformation. With over two decades of experience as a General Surgeon in the NHS, he has combined his clinical expertise with a deep commitment to advancing data science and AI in healthcare.
As Head of Data Science and AI at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Chief Clinical Information Officer, and Director of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Secure Data Environment, Vishnu has played a pivotal role in building the digital infrastructure needed to support cutting-edge research and healthcare delivery. He also holds an Honorary Clinical Professorship at Lancaster University, recognising his contributions to the field.
A key architect of foundational innovation and technological development, Vishnu has worked to embed AI and data-driven solutions across the healthcare system. He understands that the biggest challenges are not just technological but also involve securing trust, demonstrating value, and ensuring responsible data use. Under his leadership, a multidisciplinary team has grown to address technology, data protection, and public confidence, all while aligning with the Five Safes Framework.
Vishnu is a leading figure in the OHDSI (Observational Health Data Sciences & Informatics) and UK “OMOP” communities, driving efforts to make health data more interoperable and actionable. He is also a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences, including a keynote at the DataSHIELD Conference 2024.
Vishnu’s vision encompasses both cutting-edge technology and a dream of owning a farm with water buffaloes.
Dr Stephen Dobson Ph.D
The path to becoming a Chief Information Officer (CIO) is rarely a straightforward one, as evidenced by Stephen Dobson’s diverse career trajectory. From aspiring to be a veterinarian to landing a role as CIO at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Stephen’s journey has been marked by unexpected turns and a deep commitment to promoting inclusivity and allyship. He has most recently become Director of Digital, for OneLSC. Our health systems effort to promoter much greater collaboration and harmony between the various hospital trusts, GP care and community services.
Since his promotion, he has found himself taking up badminton again and enjoys spending time with his Wife and Children.
Dr Kelly Heys Ph.D
Kelly is a data and analytics professional with a background in academic research. She has 7 years of NHS Experience, currently at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust as Head of Information. So far, she has developed award-winning Business Intelligence solutions, embedded a skilled data science team which is developing a data quality strategy and introducing integrated primary and secondary care analytics. She is a passionate champion for the power of data to generate insights and drive decision making which has led her to become Chief Data Officer for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Secure Data Environment Programme.
Outside of work, Kelly can be found with her nose in a good book, growing flowers and vegetables in her garden, walking in the Lake District or cuddling with her three cats.
Professor Joanne Knight Ph.D
Jo is a Professor of Applied Data Science at Lancaster University. Her current research focus lies in using electronic patients records to answer questions which can lead to improvements in health outcomes.
She has a particular focus on neurology. Jo also has expertise in pharmacogenomics, specifically medication used for smoking cessation. As genomics data becomes more available within the NHS she would like to see stronger merging of these fields. In all her work Jo would like to ensure that health data is used to increase health outcome equity.
Outside of work Jo loves swimming in quarries and lakes all year round.
Saeed Umar
Saeed has over 26 years NHS IT Experience. He is an energetic, passionate and enthusiastic individual. Since 2017 he has been the Head of Technical Services at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and also is the Chief Technology officer for L&SC for the SDE Programme.
He has extensive experience in infrastructure scaling and has worked himself up the ranks by implementing challenging IT solutions as Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation trust has grown.
Outside of work, Saeed enjoys cycling up perilous hills with his group, SlowSpokes, while raising funds for charitable causes.
Dr Dale Kirkwood MBChB BSC
Dale is an Emergency Medicine professional with a passion for public health, staff development, and data-driven innovation. As a practicing Emergency Doctor, he recently completed an RCEM Pre-Doctoral Fellowship and serves as Co-chair of Quality Improvement for the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.
In his role as Communications Lead for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Secure Data Environment (LSC SDE) and Public Participation Lead for the North West SDE, Dale focuses on empowering the public and enhancing healthcare systems. He is committed to leveraging strategic data utilisation, advocacy, and quality improvement initiatives to drive meaningful change in healthcare. His work bridges clinical practice with innovative research and engagement, making a significant impact on modernising patient-centred quality improvement initiatives and shaping medical education governance and staff wellbeing policies at national, regional, and local levels.
Outside of work, Dale is an avid badminton player, music enthusiast, and occasional DJ. He has even brought his decks to family-friendly public events, using the story of electronic music to creatively explain the challenges of electronic patient data—making complex topics more engaging and accessible.
Mrs Hayley Atkinson
Hayley has 32 years NHS experience, 18 years as an Information Governance professional, having completed the Information Governance Toolkit and Data Protection Toolkit every year since its first publication.
Previously working as Head of Information Governance and Health Records at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, she has extensive experience in cyber, information risk assurance and health record management.
Outside of work Hayley enjoys swimming, cooking, art and reading.
Mrs Michelle Stephens
Michelle Stephens is the Head of Research, Development, and Innovation at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT), where she has significantly advanced clinical research and fostered collaborations with health partners, academic and commercial institutions.
In September 2023 she joined the LSC SDE programme as Research Govnernce Lead. She ensures that all parties meet their legal and regulatory obligations in relation to research in the SDE programme.
With over 25 years in NHS research management, she previously served as the Research and Development Manager at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and held leadership roles at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. Michelle’s early career was in primary care and public health research at NPCRDC, Manchester University.
A strong advocate for research collaboration, Michelle co-chairs the North West Research Community Group, connecting NHS operations with partners to enhance clinical research. She is also active on social media, promoting high-quality research within the NHS.
