Health Data Research Service (HDRS) – Transforming Health Data for the Public Good
The Health Data Research Service (HDRS) is a newly established national initiative that will offer health data access for academic, NHS and industrial research purposes at a globally competitive and unprecedented scale with clear value capture to support benefits for the NHS and patients.
The Organisation
The Health Data Research Service will provide secure and streamlined access to curated UK health data and other health-relevant data assets for approved researchers while protecting patients’ confidentiality.
The service will build on the NHS Research Secure Data Environment (SDE) Network where beneficial and other national data. The service will provide a full suite of customer-centric critical capabilities generating global public and patient benefits, whilst delivering enormous value to the UK economy and life sciences sector.
This newly established, world-leading organisation will be directly accountable to Ministers and underpinned by strong government commitment and investment, providing the mandate, backing and resources to succeed at scale.
What We Will Do
As a national service, HDRS will:
- Provide a trusted and secure platform for accessing health data for research and innovation.
- Simplify and streamline data access processes across organisations and systems.
- Champion public involvement, transparency, and responsible data use.
- Build strong partnerships across public, private, and academic sectors.
- Support the UK’s leadership in health data research globally.
Looking Ahead
HDRS is in its formative stage, and we are currently recruiting our founding Chief Executive Officer, a visionary leader who will shape the future of the Service and help deliver on its promise to the public.
Alongside, we are recruiting our Chair to support the structure and governance of the organisation.
Together, we are building something of lasting significance: a service that puts health data to work for public good.