The Health Data Research Innovation Gateway (the ‘Gateway’) provides a common entry point to discover and enquire about access to UK health datasets for research and innovation. It provides detailed information about the datasets, which are held by members of the UK Health Data Research Alliance, such as a description, size of the population, and the legal basis for access.
The Gateway includes the ability to search for research projects, publications and health data tools, such as those related to COVID-19. New interactive features provide a community forum for researchers to collaborate and connect and the ability to add research projects.
The Innovation Gateway does not hold or store any datasets or patient or health data but rather acts as a portal to allow discovery of datasets and to request access to them for health research. A dataset is a collection of related individual pieces of data but in the case of health data, identifiable information (e.g. name or NHS number) is removed and data is de-identified where possible. When you access the Gateway you will not be able to view or extract the data itself. Instead, you will be able to see information that describes what the different datasets are (e.g. where the dataset has come from, a description of the dataset, the time period and the geographical areas the dataset covers).
In order to access the data, you will need to sign in and then follow the access request process. Only once your request has been through the process to ensure your application meets all of the requirements and is approved by the data controller will you be able to access the data. Your access to the data will be provided outside of the Gateway in line with the processes of the data controller – read through our FAQs for more information on the process.
The datasets that are discoverable through the Innovation Gateway are from organisations in the NHS, research institutes and charities, which are part of the UK Health Data Research Alliance. You can find out more about its members on the UK Health Data Research Alliance website. The information provided about the datasets has been provided by the relevant data controller and is continually updated.
This portal is now in phase two of the Gateway’s development and has been created with input from patients, the public, researchers and innovators working in health and care in the UK. Health Data Research UK is committed to its continued partnership with these groups as the Innovation Gateway progresses.
Who manages the Innovation Gateway?
The Health Data Research Innovation Gateway is managed by Health Data Research UK in collaboration with the UK Health Data Research Alliance. It is funded by UK Research and Innovation’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
Who are Health Data Research UK?
Health Data Research UK is the national institute for health data science and its mission is to unite the UK’s health data to enable discoveries that improve people’s lives.
It is a non-profit company limited by guarantee, owned by UK Research and Innovation and the Chairperson of the Board and governed by a Board of Trustees. Its funding is from charities and public bodies.
How can I get involved in the development of the Innovation Gateway?
If you would like to get involved, provide feedback or have any questions please get in touch by emailing us at enquiries@hdruk.ac.uk and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
Rebecca Williams
Dr Connor Richardson
UK DRI