Health data should be used optimally

Data-driven health research has the potential to enhance Switzerland's reputation as a location for research and to improve the efficiency, adaptability and quality of the healthcare system. The creation of the Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) in 2017 laid the foundation for large amounts of sensitive data to be used for research in Switzerland in a responsible, ethical and legally compliant manner. Between 2025 and 2028, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) will provide CHF 20.7 million of funding to the SPHN Data Coordination Center (SPHN-DCC) (see ERI Dispatch for 2025–2028). The aim is to improve the interoperability and coordination of data and to standardise governance aspects across institutional boundaries. 

Long-term use of health data

In the summer of 2024, SERI invited the relevant stakeholders to take part in a round table discussion to explore ways to ensure the efficient and responsible secondary use of health data. The SPHN-DCC implementation plan presented for the 2025–2028 ERI funding period was well-received. At the same time, participants recognised the need for a sustainable post-2028 strategy that would enable the long-term secondary use of health data both for research and in other contexts. 

Three experts working on possible solutions

As a follow-up to these discussions, in March 2025 SERI tasked three experts, Prof. Antoine Geissbühler, Prof. Primo Schär and Prof. Christian Wolfrum, to develop a strategic action plan that would enable health data to be structured in a way that would facilitate research and other secondary uses. These experts will set up a working group comprised of members who possess the necessary skills to assist them in their work. While implementing the mandate, this group will coordinate their activities with existing bodies such as the National Coordination Platform Clinical Research (CPCR) and the SPHN’s National Steering Board. The experts will also involve parties that have an interest in health data, such as the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), the ETH Domain and higher education institutions.

Creating synergies with DigiSanté

SERI consulted with the FOPH and the FSO when issuing this mandate. This was done to ensure optimal coordination between the SERI-funded SPHN Data Coordination Center and the FOPH's DigiSanté programme, thus creating synergies.