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The NHS Research Secure Data Environment Network

The NHS Research Secure Data Environment Network helps approved researchers by simplifying and accelerating secure access to the health and social care data they need.

The NHS Research Secure Data Environment (SDE) Network is designed to provide faster and more secure access to different types of NHS data for research. By improving access to NHS data, the SDE Network will enable world class research to prevent, diagnose, and treat our biggest healthcare challenges. This will improve patient care, support innovation and help us sustain the NHS in the future.

The NHS Research SDE Network covers the whole of England and includes the NHS England Secure Data Environment and 11 regional, NHS-led SDEs. It will become the main route for accessing NHS data for research and helps to ensure consistent standards and interoperability.

NHS Research SDE Network map

Image description

A map of England with pins showing NHS Research SDE Network locations. The SDE Network locations are:

  • England - population 57 million
  • East of England - population 6.6 million
  • East Midlands - population 5.1 million
  • Kent, Medway and Sussex - population 3.8 million
  • London - population 10.5 million
  • North East and North Cumbria - population 3.2 million
  • North West - population 7.3 million
  • South West - population 5.2 million
  • Thames Valley and Surrey - population 3.9 million
  • Wessex - population 2.8 million
  • West Midlands - population 6.2 million
  • Yorkshire and Humber - population 5.9 million

The NHS Research SDE Network is already operational in some regions and all areas will have an operational SDE by the end of March 2025. The SDE Network features unique linked datasets for research, including genomic, pathology and imaging data, with access managed securely through HDR UK's Health Data Research Gateway.

You can read more about the ambitions for the SDE Network in a blog by Hilary Fanning, Senior Responsible Officer for NHS England's Data for Research and Development Programme.

What are SDE 'services'?

There are three parts to the services provided by members of the NHS Research SDE Network:

Data services
Data services

Offering published, linked, and curated NHS health data across multiple care settings.

Providing ‘bring your own’ and synthetic dataset options.

Platform services
Platform services

Provision of a specialised, secure platform and toolset that enables users to access, manage, and analyse sensitive health data in a controlled and compliant environment, which protects privacy.

Example products available include Python, SQL Server and Management Studio, and RStudio.

Consultancy services
Consultancy services

Delivery of consultancy and role-based support to users and their organisations.

Example consultancy support available includes project management, clinical advice and health implementation.

Data classifications for SDEs

New data is being published regularly by members of the SDE Network and the table below shows the classifications currently available from each SDE. Further SDEs will be added as they become operational over the coming months. 

SDE region

 Primary care Secondary care Social care Demographics Mortality Genomics Imaging Mental health
East of England   Yes   Yes        
Kent, Medway and Sussex Yes Yes Yes Yes       Yes
London Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes     Yes
NHS England   Yes   Yes Yes     Yes
North East and North Cumbria Yes Yes   Yes     Yes Yes
Thames Valley and Surrey   Yes   Yes Yes Yes Yes  
West Midlands   Yes   Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Wessex   Yes   Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yorkshire and Humber Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes     Yes

Table last updated: 5 February 2025

To find out more about the datasets available through these SDEs visit the Health Data Research Gateway.

Feedback

The Data for Research and Development Programme is a new investment by NHS England. Give us your feedback to help improve these web pages.

Last edited: 14 February 2025 9:21 am