Data Access and Request Service (DARS) stakeholder engagement

We are committed to ensuring that decisions about data access are transparent and shaped by the public.

Engagement with researchers

Engagement with the data-enabled research community to improve the Data Access Request Service (DARS)

On 9 July 2025, the Medical Research Council (MRC), National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Cancer Research UK (CRUK) held a DARS webinar with NHS England. The webinar shared insights on how researchers can request access to data held by NHS England.

Public involvement and engagement

DARS engages with patients and the public to improve how it works.

ARTICLE

How DARS engages with patients and the public

The NHS England Data Access Request Service (DARS) helps people and organisations safely and legally use approved health data sets, so it can be used for public benefit.

Data Services for Commissioners

ARTICLE

Data Services for Commissioners (DSfC)

We're responsible for ensuring NHS Digital meets its statutory and service obligations to commissioners. We do this via the Data Services for Commissioners Regional Offices (DSCROs) and by developing and implementing policies and plans.

Local authorities

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care jointly host a monthly drop‑in clinic for public health analysts from local authorities. The clinic provides an opportunity for NHS England and DHSC to update local authorities on current data access developments and emerging issues, as well as giving local authorities a forum to ask questions and share their experiences of NHS England’s data access processes and procedures. At present meetings are aimed at analysts working for or in public health teams.

Joining the monthly drop-in clinic

If you are a local authority analyst working in or for public health teams, you can request to join the drop in clinic by emailing [email protected].

Last edited: 10 June 2026 2:41 pm