About this resource
98% of the UK population are registered with an NHS GP practice, providing a wealth of data and information about interactions with health and social care provisions. This data, which is captured in routine datasets (except where somebody has actively opted out), has the potential to save lives – it allows health care services to be evaluated, health needs and inequalities to be recognised and addressed, and important health improvement projects to be developed based on need.
Whilst the data provides so much hope and potential for better health and wellbeing, confusing data access arrangements mean that those who could analyse the data to inform change and improvement, can’t. Often, analysts are unable to access this vital information in a timely way, meaning the data goes unused and is abandoned.
We recognise the challenges faced by researchers wanting to use routinely collected health and social care data to build understanding and improve healthcare services, and in response have developed this resource - the ARC Data Science Hub. The team hopes this resource provides guidance and clarity, eliminating the fog of confusion around national and regional datasets and helps unlock their full potential for greater, public good.
To note: The ARC Data Science Hub has been built in collaboration with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) funded project:
Development of data governance, methods, and training resource to support ARC-wide data analysis of routinely collected health and social care data.
The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
