Event Review: Using health and social care datasets in research – opportunities, assets and examples

On 25 November 2020 NHS Digital was pleased to be part of a collaborative event for 250 researchers providing data insights and advice.

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Hosted by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research Design Service, the event also contained sessions from Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), Medical Research Council (MRC) Regulatory Support Centre, and the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP).

It covered topics including:

an introduction to new data sets available for researchers from NHS Digital
how researchers can use Health Data Research UK (HDR UK)'s Innovation Gateway
clinical audit data held by the HQIP
key governance and ethical topics for researchers by the MRC Regulatory Support Centre
research case studies from organisations including the British Heart Foundation's Data Science Centre, UK Biobank and HQIP

Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive with over 90% of those providing feedback rating the event good/excellent with relevant content, useful presentations and raised awareness of where to go to find out more about data.

More events are being planned for 2021. To express an interest in attending please write to researchsector@nhs.net.

Sessions at the event were recorded - you can view each of them below.

An introduction

Martin Williams of NIHR Research Design Service introduces a day of talks on Using Health and Social Care Datasets in Research. Opportunities, assets and examples.

HDR UK discussing the Innovation Gateway

Paola Quattroni, Alliance Delivery Manager, HDR UK

Peggy Barthes-Streit, Technology Partnership Director, HDR UK

Paola and Peggy describe a powerful new resource for researchers and innovators, showcasing data available across the UK and showing how it can be accessed.

Useful links from the HDR UK Innovation Gateway session

HDR UK

Health Data Research Innovation Gateway

UK Health Data Research Alliance

HDR UK COVID-19 National Core Studies

HDR UK introducing Trusted Research Environments (TREs)

Dr Sucheel Varma, Director of Engineering at HDR UK, explains what they are, how they work, the evolving approach across the UK, and considerations for linking data.

Useful links to trusted research environments

NHS Digital Trusted Research Environment service for England

HQIP

Yvonne Silove, Associate Director at HQIP, discusses the clinical audit data they hold.

Useful links from HQIP

Health Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP)

National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA)

NHS Digital

Garry Coleman, Associate Director of Data Access at NHS Digital, provides an introduction to new data sets available for researchers from NHS Digital.

Useful links from NHS Digital

NHS Digital

Data Access Request Service (DARS) guidance

Data Access Request Service (DARS): process

NHS Digital data collections

Linked datasets supporting health and care delivery and research

MRC Regulatory Support Centre

Dr Alex Bailey of the Medical Research Council Regulatory Support Centre, provides insight into key governance and ethical topics for researchers, including legal avenues, transparency, and public and research approval.