1. Mind the Skills Gap: Creating Capacity for Data Access
Richard Welpton
Data Liaison Manager
Cancer Intelligence

2. Who worked on this? Carlotta Greci, Health Foundation
(Data Manager)
Richard Welpton, Cancer Research UK
(Data Liaison Manager, Cancer Intelligence)
Christine Woods, UK Data Service
(Senior Support Officer)

3. Context: we need data!
As researchers and analysts, we need to access all kinds of data from research
Increasing using administrative records, often multiple linked sources
Often including combined health and socio-economic data

4. The good, the bad, and the ugly (of data access)…..
Situation has improved…
Delays
Poor documentation
Abandoned projects
Poor outcomes for society

5. Agreeing to make data available
In principle:
Data access is possible
The willingness exists
What are the practicalities for making data available?
Who will make this happen?

6. What’s the problem? Not confident to make decisions
Lack of investment in staff vs
Staff take on much risk, receive little reward
Not confident to make decisions

7. Understanding of research
What do we expect?
Efficient service
Support
Legally sound advice
Metadata
Understanding of data
Understanding of research

8. Developing skills
Data support for research/analysts: is it a profession?
Staff tend to ‘fall into roles by accident’: why?
Is there any professional development?

9. Working Group for Secure Data Access Professionals
Established 2011
Working together to improve delivery of secure access to data

11. Will provide: Expert Career development Retention Effective Supportive
Efficient
Enhance skills

12. Thanks for listening securedatagroup.org Any thoughts or suggestions?