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Services to access data

An overview of the services available through Data Access Request Service (DARS) to access NHS health and social care data. 

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DARS enables requests to access data to be matched to the best available service(s) to access data to meet their needs. The different services to access data available through DARS includes:

  • NHS England Secure Data Environment (SDE) the default for data access, with extracts now considered only by exception
  • NHS DigiTrials for organisations running clinical trials
  • OpenSAFELY for analysing pseudonymised GP and NHS data
  • Data Services for Commissioners for commissioning organisations accessing data for planning and service delivery

Make an enquiry for more information. 

Secure Data Environments (SDE) for Research

Secure Data Environments (SDEs) are secure platforms where approved researchers can access NHS health and care data for public benefit without the data ever leaving the environment. Data Saves Lives, the data strategy for health and social care confirmed this approach with a commitment to the implementation of Secure Data Environments (SDEs) as the default way to access NHS data for research and other secondary uses. 

The extract service, the legacy data access service pre-dating the implementation of SDEs across the NHS in England, will now only be considered through DARS in exceptional circumstances.

Read the data access policy update which sets out the decisions shaping the implementation of Secure Data Environments for secondary uses of NHS data. 

The NHS Research Secure Data Environment (SDE) network 

The NHS Research SDE Network provides secure, consistent, and efficient access to data for research that improves health and care. The network is made up of:

  • NHS England Secure Data Environment (SDE)
  • regional SDEs

NHS England Secure Data Environment (SDE)

The NHS England Secure Data Environment (SDE) is a secure data and research analysis platform which is part of the interoperable NHS research SDE network. 

The NHS England SDE provides access to many NHS data sets including hospital episodes, emergency care, maternity, mental health data sets and more.

Access to the NHS England SDE is requested through the DARS process. 

Regional SDEs

Regional SDEs led by local NHS organisations, are also part of the NHS Research SDE network. Learn more about how to access them. 

NHS DigiTrials

NHS DigiTrials support clinical trials that are developing new treatments to improve health and care.  They provide safe, authorised access to patient data to help trials reach and benefit as many people as possible.  

NHS England OpenSAFELY

The NHS England OpenSAFELY is a secure data analytics platform that enables timely access to pseudonymised GP and NHS England patient data for research and planning purposes.

Data Services for Commissioners

The Data Services for Commissioners team are responsible for ensuring NHS England meets its statutory and service obligations to commissioners.They do this through the Data Services for Commissioners Regional Offices (DSCROs) by developing and implementing policies and plans along with the sharing of data with commissioner ICBs.   

The Extract Service

The Extract Service is a legacy data access service enabling data sharing which was used before the implementation of SDEs across the NHS in England. The default method for access to data will be the Secure Data Environment an extract will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.  

 

Last edited: 2 June 2026 4:02 pm