Independent Group Advising on the Release of Data

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:

30th January
6th February
13th February

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.

Independent Group Advising on the Release of Data

Building confidence through information governance

IGARD membership

Meeting dates

Meeting minutes

Standard operating procedures and related documents

Related pages