Boost for healthcare and data science as Singapore agency teams up with UK institute
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(From left) Permanent Secretary for National Research and Development Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, DPM Heng Swee Keat, Health Data Research UK chair Julie Moore and HDR UK director Andrew Morris at the signing of an MOU.
PHOTO: MDDI
SINGAPORE - Healthcare and data science will get a boost with the signing of an agreement between Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) and British national institute for health data science Health Data Research UK (HDR UK).
The collaboration reinforces Britain’s position as a leader in health data science, and Singapore as a centre of research excellence that is transforming health through precise medicine, HDR UK and NRF said in a media release.
The agencies said the partnership would offer HDR UK and its partners in Britain an opportunity to share their expertise on an international stage, while also learning from key international partners and institutions.
“Together, HDR UK and NRF will explore opportunities to use health data research to address pressing healthcare challenges, ensuring the benefits of this collaboration extend beyond their borders, impacting healthcare systems and patient outcomes worldwide,” they said.
The partnership will focus on several areas of collaboration, including promoting the safe and trustworthy use of health data by developing and sharing best practices in information governance, in addition to prioritising cross-border research initiatives.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in London on Oct 2 by Permanent Secretary for National Research and Development Tan Chorh Chuan and HDR UK director Andrew Morris.
Witnessing the signing was Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who is also NRF chairman. He was on a working visit to Britain.
Professor Morris said enhancing its capabilities would allow HDR UK to not only improve patient outcomes, but also build a robust global research platform.
“This partnership represents our collective dedication to unlocking the vast potential of health data. It ensures that our joint advancements will deliver tangible, worldwide benefits, setting new standards in medical research and innovation,” he said.
NRF chief executive John Lim pointed to the growing significance of data in healthcare, such as the potential for the secure use of patient data to enhance the early detection and treatment of diseases and chronic illnesses.
“This collaboration will help advance the use of data science to improve healthcare at scale, bringing benefits to Singapore, the UK and beyond,” said Mr Lim.
Other institutions involved in the collaboration include the Ministry of Health Office for Healthcare Transformation’s (MOHT’s) Trusted Research and Real-world Utilisation and Sharing Tech (Trust) Office and research agency A*Star in Singapore, and the University of Nottingham and Swansea University Medical School in Britain. These bodies will strengthen the partnership’s ability to drive impactful health data, NRF and HDR UK said.
“By sharing best practices in data governance and fostering cross-border collaboration, we can ensure that our research not only delivers scientific breakthroughs but also upholds the highest standards of data security, inclusivity and public trust,” said Prof Simon Thompson, professor of health informatics at Swansea University Medical School.
MOHT Trust Office director Koh Mingshi said such partnerships would allow for the development of common standards, secure data sharing, analytics tools as well as best practices in data governance and skills building.
“This will create many new opportunities for world-class, cross-border research collaboration that will lead to meaningful benefits for both countries and beyond,” said Ms Koh.
DPM Heng Swee Keat and British DPM Angela Rayner discussed ongoing economic transformation efforts in Singapore and Britain.
PHOTO: PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
On Sept 30, DPM Heng met British DPM Angela Rayner, with the two reaffirming the strategic partnership between Singapore and Britain. They discussed ongoing economic transformation efforts in Singapore and Britain, particularly in the areas of technology adoption and workforce development, and exchanged views on providing quality and affordable housing.
“Our countries enjoy strong people-to-people ties, and I was happy to chat on how we can collaborate further in areas such as science and technology, to harness opportunities for the future,” said DPM Heng on Facebook.
