The Independent Group Advising on the Release of Data (IGARD) considers all requests for dissemination of confidential information, as defined in Section 263 of the Health & Social Care Act, through the Data Access Request Service (DARS). We aim to improve transparency, accountability, quality and consistency through robust, independent scrutiny of NHS Digital data distributions, as well as providing a voice for stakeholders and the public.
IGARD also makes general recommendations or observations to NHS Digital about their processes, policies and procedures, including transparency measures such as registers.
Building confidence through information governance
NHS Digital takes the importance of information governance very seriously. Controls and procedures are in place to make sure we demonstrate the highest standard of stewardship and governance of the information we handle. NHS Digital makes sure that our processes are appropriate for governing the receipt, processing and publication of data that does not compromise confidentiality and maximises the use of information.
IGARD independently assesses applications for data. This ensures that the use of patient data within research, academia, the public and private sector is done in controlled environments, where any risks of disclosure are minimised.
Find out more about the IGARD review process.
IGARD membership
IGARD is made up of a panel of independent specialist and lay members. Find out more about our members.
Meeting dates
The next meeting dates are:
- 3 May 2018
- 10 May 2018
- 17 May 2018
- 24 May 2018
Meeting minutes
The minutes from each IGARD meeting are published within a week of the following IGARD meeting. We publish a rolling 6 months of meeting minutes. If you have any questions, or if you need minutes from older IGARD or DAAG meetings, please email the IGARD Secretariat at IGARD@nhs.net.
10 May 2018 – Minutes will be published following the 17 May 2018 meeting
22 March 2018
15 March 2018
8 March 2018
1 March 2018
22 February 2018
15 February 2018
8 February 2018
1 February 2018
25 January 2018
18 January 2018
11 January 2018
21 December 2017
14 December 2017
7 December 2017
16 November 2017
9 November 2017
2 November 2017
19 October 2017
12 October 2017
5 October 2017
28 September 2017
21 September 2017
14 September 2017
Standard operating procedures and related documents
IGARD declarations of interests February 2018
IG Advisor to IGARD
IGARD glossary v1.1 Feb 2018
IGARD Chair statement of requirements
IGARD member - lay member
IGARD member - specialist member
IGARD terms of reference v1.7
Data Access Request Service (DARS)
DAAG closure report 2017
Annex B to DAAG closure report - YSWD
IGARD criteria for assessing applications - EU Funded Projects