Case Study: Saving Lives with Secure Data

As the Lancashire and South Cumbria Secure Data Environment (SDE) Programme team, we faced a critical challenge: our patient data, vital for improving care and research, was siloed across multiple Trusts and systems within our Integrated Care System (ICS). This fragmentation hindered our ability to gain a comprehensive view of patient journeys and extract meaningful insights. Existing pressures from workforce shortages, long waiting times, and difficulties integrating with social care were exacerbated by this data challenge, made more urgent by the Goldacre Review’s findings.

Our solution was the implementation of a robust, unified SDE platform using the globally recognized OMOP data model. This ambitious project was made possible through a crucial partnership with Telefónica Tech, who leveraged cutting-edge technologies like Microsoft Azure, Azure Data Factory, and Databricks. Within just three months, we had a platform ingesting OMOP data.

This platform has already harmonized 2.3 million patient records, spanning 15 years of care, from five clinical systems into one common data model. This achievement has not only accelerated strategic decision-making and enabled high-quality research with potential national and international impact, but it also earned our team the prestigious Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) Team of the Year Award.

Our success is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. We’ve established a repeatable model, incorporating technical, legal, governance, and ethical best practices, which can be rolled out across other NHS regions. We are now supporting other Trusts, like Morecambe Bay, in their OMOP conversion journey, with plans to expand across Lancashire, South Cumbria, and the North-West. Our partnership with Telefónica Tech continues to evolve, focusing on enhancing the platform and upskilling our team.

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data safety and privacy, adhering to OMOP opt-out rights and ensuring transparent communication about data handling practices. Our SDE is not just about technology; it’s about transforming healthcare, improving patient outcomes, and building a more integrated and efficient system for everyone.

Read the full case study on the Telefónica Tech website: https://telefonicatech.uk/case-studies/saving-lives-with-secure-data/