We’re working to improve health inequalities across Sussex by providing public health researchers access to anonymised data about the population.
The Sussex Integrated Dataset (SID) is a primary and secondary health and social care dataset that links routinely collected service user and activity data from health and care providers in Sussex to help plan and improve services for our local population.
This data is linked via an individual’s NHS Number, so that each contact with a service is traceable.
Personal data is anonymised and made available for analysis and understanding of which groups are at greatest risk of poor health locally, how services can be better designed and run and how they can be part of quality improvement and service evaluation of Sussex’s integrated health and care system.
The SID Database contains no patient identifiable data such as names, dates of birth or full addresses which means the raw data from the providers is depersonalised and anonymous before it reaches the SID.
Collecting data from different organisations allows us to integrate and view at a population level to see the bigger picture of healthcare across Sussex.
This can help with better service design by enabling evidence-based decisions around service delivery and reconfiguration as well as public health intelligence, where using insightful population segmentation techniques can support advanced analytics to effectively target prevention measures, and population budgeting.
The SID abides by General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2016
How to use the Sussex Integrated Dataset
Identification of patterns and trends can assist with understanding patient journeys and can lead to improvements in prevention, care, treatment and support well into the future.
This can play an important role in improving health outcomes for the local population and reduce health inequalities by ensuring that the right services are available in the right areas for those who need them and that everyone who needs a service is aware that they can access it.
It also means that any sections of the population who are not being reached can be identified.
Other uses will include:
- Providing data into the Population Health Management accelerator programme in Sussex to support the evolution and enhancement of services and informing how services will be financed in future
- Partnering with local organisations such as the University of Sussex to support health research within the local academic community.
- Conducting research into how critical complex events are affecting our local populations, such as the susceptibility of BAME populations to COVID-19.
Please contact esht.sidaccess@nhs.net for further information.
