North West SDE supports major new research

The North West SDE, alongside other SDEs in the NHS SDE Network, is supporting a major new research initiative aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment and care for prostate cancer patients.

In the first inter-SDE collaboration, North West, West Midlands and London SDEs are working with charity Prostate Cancer Research.

More widely, the NHS is joining forces with Prostate Cancer Research to provide unique access to healthcare data for research that could transform patient care and treatment of the disease.

The initiative, known as Prostate Progress and backed by actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry, has been selected to take part in NHS England’s Data for Research and Development Programme. It is the first of a series of ‘driver projects’ that will support innovative uses of health data.

Dr Vin Diwakar, National Director of Transformation at NHS England, said:

“This unique collaboration with Prostate Cancer Research will provide new insights into prostate cancer and improve care for patients.

“The NHS Research Secure Data Environment Network allows us to link data and enable research at a scale not previously possible, while maintaining the highest levels of security.

“Researchers will benefit from the rich picture provided from NHS clinical data as well as information from patients who volunteer to take part and share their experiences.

“I’d encourage anyone who has had prostate cancer to sign up for Prostate Progress and help improve the lives of people with the disease.”

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