GPES Data for Consented Research Directions 2026

The purpose of these Directions (the purpose) is to enable NHS England to establish a service to enable certain information held in general practice (GP) health records to be collected and disseminated to specific research studies approved to access that information (Approved research studies), for certain participants where either: 

• explicit consent has been provided by or on behalf of the participant to their data being shared with that study for health research
• it is lawful under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 for the research study to carry out the research on, or in relation to a participant who lacks capacity

These Directions are given in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 254(1), 260(2)(d), 261(2)(e) and 304(9), (10) and (12) of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (the 2012 Act) and sections 13ZC and 272(7) and (8) of the National Health Service Act 2006 (the 2006 Act). 

The service enabled by these Directions is also operated by NHS England in the exercise of its powers under sections 1 and 2 and Chapter A1 of Part 2 of the 2006 Act and sections 261 and 270 of the 2012 Act.

These Directions are to be known as the GPES Data for Consented Research Directions 2026 and come into force on the day after the day on which they are signed