The leadership of Kathy Harrison, our Programme Lead, has been warmly recognised by the Digital Leader Award received at the Holyrood Connect Digital Health and Care Awards 2025.
Achieving change through collaborative relationships
Building upon the foundations of the previous Lothian Regional Safe Haven, Kathy is constantly driving positive change in the health-data research ecosystem, not only in collaboration with our NHS Lothian partners, but also with research groups and the wider Scottish Safe Haven Network.
Currently, DataLoch is the only Safe Haven in Scotland which hosts primary care data. This has only been possible by working directly with GP practices to prove the value of data in driving service improvement and quality research. The solution is based on DataLoch’s established governance framework and dedication to preserving patient confidentiality. This approach has successfully engaged 90% of GPs within Lothian, meaning that DataLoch-supported research can be based on a more holistic overview of population-wide health and wellbeing than is possible through hospital data alone.
“Kathy’s integrity, patience and attention to detail has been key in developing our stakeholders’ confidence to share data and participate fully in the DataLoch project.”
Dr Peter Cairns, Wester Hailes GP and Clinical Advisor
Innovating to meet contemporary project needs
At DataLoch, we curate, manage, and maintain data feeds from over 20 health sources, providing secure access to over 40 approved teams of users within and external to the NHS to complete vital service management and research functions and support data-driven decisions.
Alongside making previously unavailable data accessible, Kathy has created the ability to make use of novel technologies. Under her expert management, DataLoch offers a safe service to researchers collaborating with private- and third-sector organisations, and a secure space for developing AI models – both of which are required for health and social care developments into, for example – diagnosis tools, care pathway decision-making, and summarising medical notes at speed.
"Kathy has been instrumental in developing the process for a single project-approval that's accepted across all four of Scotland's Regional Safe Havens. This represents a step-change for research and innovation using in-depth regional health data. This progress is only possible thanks to Kathy’s collaborative ethos combined with her drive to improve the nation’s data-research system."
Layla Robinson, Chief Partnership and Strategy Officer, Research Data Scotland
The innovations led by the DataLoch team have been fostered and enabled by Kathy’s vision and leadership. Her passion and drive to make tangible improvements using data that directly enhance frontline NHS services permeates throughout our work and our collaborations.
"DataLoch’s entire purpose is supporting health-system improvements by enabling safe access to data for potentially transformational research and innovation. I see this award as a validation of that mission and a recognition of the passion of an amazing team who care about making a positive difference. I am incredibly proud of the team and what we have achieved in support of NHS Lothian, and I can see all the opportunities to do so much more."
Kathy Harrison, Programme Lead, DataLoch
Holyrood’s Digital Health and Care Award winners 2025
