Beginner's guide to the SDE Network

The SDE Network is an England-wide, interoperable system of secure data environments (SDEs) that provides researchers with safe, fast, and secure access to health and social care data. These highly controlled environments allow approved researchers to access and analyse de-identified health data, but without the data leaving the environment.

Researchers can analyse the data in the SDE, but cannot access personal identifiable information or take the data away with them.

1. If you are new to research using NHS data, or have a complex research project, you can get in touch with the SDE Network Concierge Service. This free service can help you explore the data, tools and services available, and the best way to access the data you need.
2. To make the most of the Concierge Service, give as much detail as possible. We will keep your information confidential, and if required can arrange formal structures, such as non-disclosure agreements.

1. Ensure you have checked any data you wish to bring meets your, and SDE Network, information governance standards and any related regulations. This will help make approval for bringing in data easier and faster. For more information, speak to the SDE you are looking to work with, to explore your requirements.
2. When thinking about bringing your own code, remember to check the SDE you want to work with can support the coding language you want to use.

Before starting a data access request, you should familiarise yourself with the ‘5 Safes’: People, Projects, Data, Settings and Outputs. Familiarising yourself with this information will make it much easier to complete the Data Access Request form.

1. To understand the services provided by the SDE Network, beyond the data SDEs can supply, explore the SDE pages to see what tools and additional services are available, and have a look at the Data Use Register to see how researchers have previously used the network's data.
2. If you have a bespoke or highly specialised request, contact the SDE Network Concierge Service to help explore your needs. 

1. Registration is an essential requirement for accessing SDE Network data and ensures that only individuals and organisations who meet strict standards can apply to access NHS data for research. This process needs to be done once for an organisation, and once by each researcher working for that organisation. It can be completed before beginning a specific data access request.
2. Ensure your organisation is registered prior to applying for personal registration. Personal registration includes confirming your organisation will vouch for you. To do this, they must already be registered.

Learn more about the Registration Service.

1. The Health Data Research Gateway helps you explore and understand the data sets available through the SDE Network. You can browse existing data sets or request bespoke collections that are built around your research needs. Bespoke collections may take longer to prepare than pre-defined ones.
2. The Cohort Discovery tool lets you check whether data sets contain enough patients in the groups (cohorts) you are interested in. It does not provide access to individual patient data. To use this tool and view results across the SDE Network, you and your organisation will need to be registered by the SDE Network.

Before starting a data access request, or making a general enquiry, explore the individual SDE pages to understand their services and products, and the Health Data Research Gateway to view example data sets. You can get in touch with the SDE Network Concierge Service for help to access the data you need for complex research, such as projects needing data from multiple SDEs.