The Wellcome Quinquagenarian (QQG) Project
Advancing infectious disease epidemiology using aggregated and pseudonymised individual-level data
Project Background
The Wellcome QQG project is an initiative supported by the Wellcome Trust to create a longitudinal, linked sentinel databases. The QQG resource builds on the rich history and digital maturity of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC).
History of the RSC Network:
- The RCGP created an epidemic research centre in 1957, and has been involved in sentinel surveillance since 1967, with virology swab testing since the 1992-1993 winter.
- From 1967 to now, the RSC has published a Weekly Return of the weekly incidence of 30 monitored conditions. Its principal use has been monitoring influenza and other respiratory illnesses associated with seasonal illness and winter pressures on the NHS.
- Today, the network includes 2028 practices that voluntarily participate, which highlights the collective belief in the importance of research and surveillance.
Network Evolution:
- Collaboration-driven network that has developed research capabilities aligned with RCGP’s charter, contributing to national and international health reporting.
- Responsiveness to emerging health issues, such as the need to identify viral causes of diseases like influenza-like illness (ILI) and COVID-19.
Funded by
Contact us
Contact Details: Shuma Banik
Email: shuma.banik@phc.ox.ac.uk
Mobile: +44 7465 740551
Project Members
Cecilia Okusi
OkusiFatima Batool
BatoolShuma Banik
BanikSimon de Lusignan
de LusignanMark Joy
JoyNeil Deo
DeoComponents of QQG biomedical resource
1.Pseudonymised health data from general practices who share data with the RSC, which can be linked to hospital and health data;
2.Virology data, from swabs taken by RSC practices;
3.Genomic sequence data for these viruses.
The virology swabs are tested at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) virology reference laboratory in Colindale, London. This is an expert resource, that has been at the cutting edge of viral sequencing. This has become more and more sophisticated since this started in 1992
Dashboard
This dashboard tracks the presentation of influenza-like illness (ILI) in sentinel general practices over time as part of the QQG biomedical resource. Developed by the Clinical Informatics and Health Outcomes Group at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford.
Potential of the QQG Project
Strengthening Respiratory Disease Research:
- Expansion of genomic surveillance supports research on long-term respiratory disease outcomes, such as long COVID.
- Unique data on RSV collected since 1993 could provide insights into viral evolution.
Longevity and Partnership:
- The QQG resource benefits from a longstanding RCGP-UKHSA partnership bolstered by Oxford’s involvement, reinforcing the network’s resilience and longevity.
Components of the RSC Informatics & QQG Project
Data Collection and Surveillance Milestones:
- Explanation of the RSC’s milestone surveillance activities, from influenza in 1992 to COVID-19 in 2020 and ARI in 2023.
- Linked Data Expansion: How the linked data spans from clinical care records to genomic sequencing, covering years of respiratory disease data.
Data Use and Accessibility:
- Transition of RSC’s data into searchable formats, enabling quick access for ongoing research and policy planning.
- Practical applications of the QQG data in tracking epidemics, vaccine responses, and healthcare pressures, particularly during winter months.
QQG Resource and Genomic Data in Surveillance
Introduction to QQG:
- QQG represents a shift towards genomic surveillance, enhancing RSC’s research abilities and commitment to FAIR data principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable).
- Genomic Data Linkage: Through QQG, genomic sequences are linked with clinical data, advancing understanding of disease outcomes, vaccine effectiveness, and therapeutic strategies.
Notable Research Insights:
- Examples include influenza A as the dominant subtype, highlighting vaccine efficacy over 20 years.
- Significant findings on the resistance of H1N1 to oseltamivir during the 2009 pandemic underscore the need for linked genomic data.
Future Directions and Project Impact
Goals for Genomic Surveillance:
- Expand understanding of viral evolution and disease outcomes.
- Extend data-driven insights into other respiratory conditions and long COVID.
Broader Implications:
- Potential to enhance national health policy through real-time data insights and predictive capabilities. Support for health research infrastructure that aligns with UKHSA and RCGP’s mission.
Learn More and Resources
Reports
RSC: Public health data can be found here
Historic reports
Oxford University Archive (ORA) reports dating back to 1984
Date of Project
Project completed by 31 March 2025
