Data we collect, analyse, publish and share

NHS Digital collects, analyses, publishes and shares a wide range of data to support the health and adult social care system.

We do this where legally directed by the Secretary of State or NHS England under section 254 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (2012 Act), or where requested by certain health and social care bodies under section 255. Our full legal powers are set out in Part 9, Chapter 2, of the 2012 Act.

This page provides information about what data we collect, publish and share, including information we are required to publish under the 2012 Act. 

Section 264 of the 2012 Act states that the ‘Information Centre must maintain and publish a register containing descriptions of information which has been obtained by virtue of this chapter’. This Register is published below.

The Register is complemented by other sources which provide insight into how the data is used, for example for publication and release to external organisations. These other sources are listed below and when used together provide a reference source for bodies seeking to obtain information on what information is collected and may already be available.

We use the data we have collected to generate insights into health and adult social care. These products are released on the website.

• Review the list of current statistical publications
• Review our dashboards
• Review the list of data supplied in response to specific requests

We can make data available to those with a legitimate purpose to help improve health and adult social care services.

• Review the range of data products we make available for release through our Data Access Release Service (DARS)

We also maintain a Data Uses Register which provides information on what and why we have released data, as well as to who.

• Review the Data Uses Register

This is supplemented by a register of approved internal data flows that provides information on data sharing with NHS England which is now classed as internal data sharing (following our merger).

• Review the Internal Data Uses Register

There is also a  Release Register for the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS).

• Review the NDRS Release Register

You may also find it useful to see what Directions and Requests (Mandatory and Non-Mandatory) we have received:

• Directions from the Secretary of State
• Directions from NHS England
• Requests from other organisations

For information about how to request that NHS Digital collects and/or analyses information under section 255 of the 2012 Act, please review the procedure for making such a Request.

If it is necessary or expedient for us to collect information to comply with a Direction or a section 255 Request, we have a power to either request or require organisations to provide us with the information under section 259 of the 2012 Act. We generally exercise this power by issuing a Data Provision Notice to notify health and care organisations of their obligation to submit data to NHS Digital:

• Data Provision Notices

Contact NHS Digital if you have any questions about the content on this page: [email protected].