Health Data Research UK is awarding £30 million funding to six sites across the UK, including Scotland, to address challenging healthcare issues through use of data science.

Each site has world-class expertise; a track record in using health data to derive new knowledge, scientific discovery and insight; and works in close partnership with NHS bodies and the public to translate research findings into benefits for patients and populations.

The Scottish site will be run by a partnership including the University of Glasgow alongside the Universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Strathclyde and St Andrews.

The other successful Health Data Research UK sites are Cambridge, London, Midlands, Oxford along with Wales/Northern Ireland.

From April this year, the six sites will work collaboratively as foundation partners in Health Data Research UK to make game-changing improvements in people’s health by harnessing data science at scale across the UK.

Each site’s research organisations will receive long-term funding awards and will become part of a collaborative research community working together to deliver the priorities of Health Data Research UK. This initial funding is awarded following a rigorous application process, which included interviews with an international panel of experts.

Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Vice Principal of the University of Glasgow and Head of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, said: “I am delighted that Scotland has been chosen as one of the six data sites in the UK. In Scotland, and indeed here at the University of Glasgow, we have world-class expertise in healthcare data and understand fully its potential to revolutionise healthcare through precision medicine.

“Scotland is in an excellent position to be a leader in the field of health data, and are in a unique position to be able to harness its power for research and scientific advancement through precision medicine."

Professor Jill Pell, Director of the Institute of Health and Wellbeing, who will be leading the University of Glasgow’s involvement in the project, said: “The University of Glasgow is delighted that Scotland has been chosen as an HDR-UK substantive site. This initiative will build on the successes of Farr Scotland in improving the ways that we access, protect and analyse data to improve the health of the Scottish population and reduce health inequalities.”

Professor Andrew Morris, Director of Health Data Research UK, commented:
“I am delighted to make today’s announcement, which marks the start of a unique opportunity for scientists, researchers and clinicians to use their collective expertise to transform the health of the population.

“The six HDR UK sites, comprising 22 universities, research and NHS organisations, have tremendous individual strengths and will form a solid foundation for our long-term ambition. By working together and with NHS and industry partners to the highest ethical standards, our vision is to harness data science on a national scale. This will unleash the potential for data and technologies to drive breakthroughs in medical research, improving the way we are able to prevent, detect and diagnose diseases like cancer, heart disease and asthma.

“I am grateful to our funders who recognise the importance of collaboration at scale, and the pivotal contribution of health data research to the UK’s ambition to be a global leader in life sciences, for health and economic benefit.”

This is the first phase of investment to establish Health Data Research UK. A further £24 million will be invested in upcoming activities, including a Future Talent Programme and work to address targeted data research challenges through additional partnership sites.

Health Data Research UK is committed to the highest ethical standards and will work with experts in public engagement to ensure the public voice is central to its activity. It will work at scale and forge national and international partnerships to deliver:

• New scientific discovery
• A vibrant training environment for the next generation of data scientists
• The creation of a trustworthy UK-wide research and innovation ecosystem for health data research.

Health Data Research UK is a joint investment co-ordinated by the Medical Research Council, working in partnership with the British Heart Foundation, the National Institute for Health Research, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (Welsh Government), Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland), Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates, and Wellcome.

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Enquiries: ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk or elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk // 0141 330 6557 or 0141 330 4831

First published: 7 February 2018