Data Access Request Service (DARS)

NHS England’s Data Access Request Service (DARS) is the gateway to accessing NHS health and social care data. DARS offers different ways to access this data depending on your needs, such as on the Secure Data Environment (SDE), through clinical trials or by secure electronic file transfer.

DARS enables the secure, transparent and ethical use of NHS health data. For more information on how research is safely carried out through DARS, visit research powered by data.

Learn more about the approved applications that other organisations have made in the Data Uses Register.

Anyone who wishes to access NHS data through DARS must be able to demonstrate that they can meet all of NHS England’s legal, ethical and security requirements for safe data research.

To access data through DARS, you must:

1. Meet the requirements set out in the pre application checklist.
2. Be able to cover the cost of the project (see Data Access Request Service (DARS) charges)

You may start and save an application for data before you have a Data Sharing Framework Contract (DSFC), however you will need to have a DSFC before your application is accepted and data is released.

If you are not sure whether the data controller has a valid DFSC in place, you will need to contact us.

If you are making a new application for data, you should follow the steps below:

1. Make an enquiry: you will need to contact us to discuss your data requirements. We can give you advice on whether your application is likely to be approved or your needs can be met through another service. 
2. Complete an application: you will need to complete an application through DARS Online. Learn more about how to make an application.
3. Work with your case officer: your assigned case officer will help guide you through any changes you must make to your application.
4. Await decision: a decision will be made about your application, which will take time depending on the complexity of your application. Some applications may need to go through the Advisory Group for Data (AGD).
5. Access the data: if your application is approved this triggers the creation of a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA). The data will be made available through the Secure Data Environment (SDE), the DigiTrials Service for clinical trials, or by secure electronic file transfer depending on what has been agreed.
6. Deletion of data: complete a certificate of destruction or, for SDE users, follow our closure process.

When you start the application process you will be assigned a NIC number. You should quote this number each time you contact the Data Applications team.

Learn more about the full DARS process. 

NHS England is publicly funded and we operate on a cost-recovery basis. We do not charge for data but we do apply charges to cover the cost of processing and delivering our service. We ensure charges are applied fairly and consistently, broadly determined by the amount of effort and approvals required.  An annual review of charges informs any changes to prices for implementation each April.

Charges are calculated on the following components:

• where or how the data is accessed, for example, the extract service, SDE service or NHS DigiTrials
• the type of application
• the volume of data requested including any data linkage
• the frequency that you require data 

Should the volume and complexity of requests require additional development work, these may be subject to additional charges and confirmed during the application process. 

Actual costs will be agreed with the customer during the application process. 

We also offer data services to support clinical trials and research. Find out about NHS DigiTrials and the NHS England Secure Data Environment.

To apply for data with DARS, you must submit an application through the DARS Online service. This service is the online portal to:

• start a new application for data
• change an existing application
• view the status of an existing application
• apply for a DSFC