Analysing large and complex datasets, such as those held by the NHS, can help identify population trends and causes of ill health, novel treatments and better ways to diagnose disease. In 2025, the government’s 10 Year Health Plan announced the creation of the Health Data Research Service (HDRS), which aims to make it faster, easier and simpler for approved researchers to securely access and analyse deidentified health data, such as genomic data, GP records and mortality patterns, via a unified data platform.
This briefing will outline opportunities, barriers and risks for large-scale health dataset research initiatives. It will consider policy issues including, but not limited to, patient and clinical trust, regulation, the distribution of potential profits from commercialisation and international access and use. It will consider existing health data-sharing initiatives in the UK and internationally, as well as applications and policy considerations for the forthcoming Health Data Research Service.
We welcome contributions from experts on research evidence, policy analysis and stakeholder views.