The inaugural South West Analytics and Infrastructure in Healthcare (SWAIH) event, held in July 2023, convened experts from various sectors across the South West to delve into the challenges and opportunities associated with healthcare data.  

Hosted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC) and sponsored by Health Innovation South West, Great Western Secure Data Environment and Health Data Research UK, the event provided a vital platform to examine the burgeoning importance of healthcare data.  

The significance of healthcare data was underscored by Professor Ben Goldacre’s 2022 review, which emphasised the potential benefits of utilising health data efficiently and securely, and significant developments in NHS data strategies and investments in secure data environments.  

Attendees, including analysts, decision-makers, and researchers, had the opportunity to engage with healthcare data experts, exchange operational insights, deliberate on policy recommendations, and establish networks spanning the South West. 

SWAIH aimed to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and strategic planning to enhance research efficiency and patient outcomes across the region. 

SWAIH continues to be led by PenARC into 2024, scaling the network to support ongoing data collaboration across the South West, through regular insight talks and further face to face events.