Find health data for your research

Secure Data Environments (SDEs) enable approved researchers to access health and care data securely. The NHS Research SDE Network streamlines and safeguards access to national and regional data to support research that improves health and care.

On this page you can learn about:

The NHS Research SDE Network provides streamlined access to national data across England and regional unique local datasets through SDEs, to support research that improves health and care. Learn more about the SDE network and recruitment for clinical trials.

Researchers can tailor national and regional datasets to their needs. There are different ways to get started and you can choose the one that best suits your requirements:

Service option	Features	Typical response time
Self-service: search the Health Data Research Gateway (opens in new window)	The metadata catalogue for the NHS Research SDE Network enables researchers to search UK health datasets by condition, theme, geography and other key characteristics. Researchers can also locate specific SDEs by using the 'Data Custodian' filter.	Immediate
Connect with an SDE team for expert guidance	New datasets are added regularly by SDEs. To learn more about individual SDEs – including the services they offer and the types of data they provide – simply follow the links in the table below.	Within 5 working days
Not sure which route to choose? - our Concierge service provides full, personalised help	The SDE Network Concierge Service offers free advice, guidance, and support. We take time to understand the needs of your project, advise on next steps and and ensure you connect with the right SDE, or group of SDEs, first time.	Within 5 working days

Data available through the SDE Network

The table below gives a sample of data available across each SDE. Categories showing as available do not necessarily indicate full coverage of a data type in an area, but show that some data exists in that category. It is not intended as a comprehensive view of all data available.

New data is being published regularly.

Open a more detailed table of SDE capabilities (.xlsx, 44KB) including more detailed definitions. Click on individual SDE profile pages to find out more about the services and types of data they currently provide.

Capabilities definitions

Primary care - Data sets capturing patient interactions with general practitioners (GPs) and other primary care services, including consultations, diagnoses, medications, and referrals.

Secondary care - Data sets covering hospital-based care, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department activity, as well as procedures and treatments provided in secondary care settings.

Prescribing - Data sets detailing medications prescribed and dispensed in both primary and secondary care settings, including prescription volumes, costs, and trends.

Mortality - Data sets recording information on deaths, including causes of death, demographics, and associated healthcare factors, such as hospitalisations prior to death.

Lab results/pathology - Detailed laboratory test results from pathology systems/services (Y/N field).

Mental health – Data sets focused on mental health services and outcomes, including diagnoses, treatments, and patient interactions with mental health care providers.

Social care - Data sets related to support services provided to individuals for daily living, including care homes, home care, safeguarding, and integration of health and social care services.

Ambulance - Data sets include information about how ambulance services respond to and treat patients that are received by the 999 service.

SDE region	Primary care	Secondary care	Prescribing	Mortality	Lab results/ pathology	Mental health	Social care	Ambulance	Other (see full table)
Eastern England		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes				Yes
NHS England	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes		Yes
Kent, Medway and Sussex	Yes	Yes	Yes			Yes	Yes		Yes
London	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes
North East and North Cumbria	Yes	Yes	Yes			Yes		Yes	Yes
North West	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
South West	Yes	Yes				Yes
Thames Valley and Surrey		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes			Yes
West Midlands		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes				Yes
Wessex		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes			Yes	Yes
Yorkshire and Humber	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Table last updated: 23 April 2026

Next steps to gaining data access

Apply to access data - covers applications for NHS England and regional data sets.

Registration Service - Only organisations and individuals who have been approved will be able to request access to SDE Network data for research.

Support and resources

Beginner's guide - Useful information for those beginning the process of applying for data access.

SDE Network Concierge Service - Advice on complex enquiries and linking data sets.

Pricing approach - How we calculate costs for data access and additional services.

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Last edited: 23 April 2026 1:45 pm