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Data Access Request Service (DARS) guidance

NHS England’s Data Access Request Service (DARS) is the gateway to accessing NHS health and social care data.

If you are considering making a request to access data using DARS, we recommend you first make an enquiry by contacting the DARS data applications team. Learn more about the DARS application process.  

DARS standards

We have produced written guidance covering some of the important information you will need to consider to support your DARS application.

Title/name of standard

Version

Last updated

Term of Data Sharing Agreement

v2.1

9 August 2022

Data Controllers

v1.0

24 July 2019

Data Processors

v1.0

24 July 2019

Security Assurance

v2.0

16 April 2021

Data Protection Act Registration

v1.0

24 July 2019

Data Minimisation

v1.0

24 July 2019

Patient Objections

v1.0

24 July 2019

Objective for Processing

v1.0

24 July 2019

Processing Activities 

v1.0 14 August 2019 

Expected Outcomes   

v1.0 14 August 2019 

Expected Measurable Benefits

v1.0

24 July 2019

Commercial Purpose

v3.0

23 March 2023

Special Conditions

v1.0

24 July 2019

Ethical Approval

v1.0

24 July 2019

Duty of Confidentiality

v1.0 26 September 2019
GDPR Consent v1.0 24 July 2019

Sub-Licencing and Onward Sharing

v1.0

24 July 2019

Transparency (fair processing)

v1.0

24 July 2019

Territory of Use

v1.0

24 July 2019

Honorary contract v1.0 12 September 2023

Review of current DARS standards

As a result of an amendment to section 97 of the Health and Social Care Act, NHS England are reviewing all current DARS standards and will, if necessary, update these standards to ensure alignment with this amendment.


Further information

internal DARS: online fair processing

Where your application involves personal data, then it is a legal requirement under the Data Protection Act (first principle) that personal data must be processed fairly and lawfully.

Last edited: 13 May 2026 3:07 pm