Access the Secure Data Environment

The NHS England Secure Data Environment (SDE) is a secure data and research analysis platform. Sign into the SDE portal and view our user guidance.

Sign in to the SDE

The NHS England Secure Data Environment (SDE) is a secure data and research analysis platform. Sign into the SDE portal and view our user guidance.

If you are an existing user, you can sign into the SDE.

To learn more about the SDE, including information about its features, costs and data available through the platform, visit the Secure Data Environment.

User guidance

Access guidance on setting up your account and getting started in the SDE.

SDE set up guide

Find out how to get up and running with SDE and the tools

Set up guide

Online SDE induction

If you are a new user to the SDE, you must complete this introduction before you can access the SDE platform.

View the introduction

User guides

Access guidance on setting up your account and getting started in the SDE

User guides

News and updates

21 July 2023: Find out how the 'Import Reference Data' feature can help the research community.

With the new Import Reference Data feature, researchers can request to import non-patient level data, such as code lists and look-up data, that complement existing datasets available under their Data Sharing Agreement. Our input-checking team reviews all files before they are available in the environment.

End user access agreement

The use of the SDE is governed by the terms and conditions set out in the End User Access Agreement.

ARTICLE

NHS England Secure Data Environment End User Access Agreement (EUAA)

The use of the NHS England Secure Data Environment (SDE) is governed by these terms and conditions.

Contact us

To register your interest in the SDE, complete the NHS England SDE expression of interest form.

For technical issues, including accessing the SDE, contact the National Service Desk at [email protected] or phone 0300 303 5035.

For data import support, contact [email protected].

For data results output support, contact [email protected].

For any other general queries, contact [email protected].

Information and times of planned maintenance, during which the NHS England SDE may be unavailable, are published on our announcements and outages page.

Drop-in sessions

Drop-in sessions are available to all SDE users for support with the SDE environment and its tools, including data sets and programming. These regular sessions are held by the SDE data specialist team every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 11am GMT (excluding public holidays) via Microsoft Teams.

You do not need to book to attend. Sessions invites are sent with SDE user account activation emails. Alternatively, contact [email protected] for more information.

Further information

Secure Data Environment

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

Getting the most out of the NHS England Secure Data Environment

The NHS England Secure Data Environment (SDE) can be configured to provide the right tooling and compute power for your analytical requirements.

Users, uses and access to Hospital Episode Statistics

Who hospital episode statistics (HES) are for, how they are used and how to apply for access. This includes the local authority HES Data Extract Service.

Free data awareness training

The Safe Data Access Professionals Group helps share expertise, best practice and knowledge between organisations engaged in providing secure access to confidential sources of data from the health and social science research sector. This is aimed at promoting best practice when generating Safe Outputs in Safe Settings. These free data awareness training courses and modules provide you with best practice information on working with statistical data.

NHS Secure Data Environment service announcements and outages

Information, dates and times for planned maintenance on the NHS England Secure Data Environment (SDE) during which the system may be unavailable.

Last edited: 6 June 2024 10:15 am