FOCUS-5: Federating Operations and Collaborations Using the Five Safes

A common approach is needed to document and communicate Five Safes Framework (5SF) risks in federated analysis, ensuring consistency in decision-making across different UK TREs and SDEs. The Five Safes Research Object Crates (5SROCs) developed as part of the DARE UK Phase 1 Driver Projects (TRE-FX) are becoming a standard way to do this, documenting the history and movement of data and analysis within and across TREs.

FOCUS-5 expanded the TRE-FX 5SROCs enhanced by TREvolution to support data workflows within NHS SDEs, working closely with the Lancashire and South Cumbria and Wessex SDEs. The project also integrated 5SROCs with DataSHIELD, enabling better tracking of federated analysis across environments.

FOCUS-5 aimed to contribute to adopting a standardised approach for managing federated data access and analysis, supporting the interoperability of NHS SDEs with other TREs. The project also produced roadmaps to facilitate broader adoption by other SDEs and federated analysis tools, ensuring long-term integration into NHS data infrastructures.

By the end of the project, FOCUS-5:

• Validated 5SROCs for operational use in SDEs, ensuring compatibility with federated analysis tools.
• Developed a blueprint for integrating 5SROCs with DataSHIELD, adaptable for other software.
• Provided open-access public engagement materials to improve understanding of federated health data access, emphasising privacy-preserving technologies over data sharing.
• Contributed to the evolution of the TRE-FX 5SROCs, supporting streamlined and secure federated research.

Project information

Lead organisation: University of Liverpool
Principal investigator: Dr Becca Wilson
Project duration: 14 months
Project partners: Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust (Lancashire and South Cumbria Secure Data Environment), Wessex Secure Data Environment, Arjuna Technologies Ltd, Epigeny
Funding provided: £399,961
Primary contact email: jamie.o-brien@liverpool.ac.uk  (Cc Paula Irving (PA to Dr Becca Wilson): paula.irving@liverpool.ac.uk)

Relevant links

• DataSHIELD Website
• DataSHIELD LinkedIn
• Wessex SDE
• Lancashire and South Cumbria SDE LinkedIn