Cathie Sudlow, then chief scientist at Health Data Research UK, was commissioned to carry out a review of the UK health data landscape by Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical officer.

“We are simply not maximising the benefits to society from the rich abundance of health data in the UK,” she found. “Far too often research about health conditions affecting millions of people in the UK is prevented or delayed by the complexity of our data systems.”

I worked closely with Cathie on the launch of her report in 2024, designing and overseeing delivery of the communications plan. This included media, a launch event, ongoing stakeholder engagement, sharing of materials across several partners, online publication and comms across multiple platforms.

The main recommendation in Cathie’s review was acted on by the government within six months in establishing a £600 million new Health Data Research Service with the Wellcome Trust.