Data

We are the statutory custodian for health and care data for England, serving stakeholders across the UK. We enable the health and social care system to make best use of its data to improve healthcare outcomes, efficiency of services and the impact of research, while safeguarding the privacy of the people whose data we hold.

Data collection and curation

We manage around 200 data collections from health and social care organisations in England so it can be used to improve our delivery of health services, support world-class medical research, and inform policy development.

Woman interrogating geographic data large monitor

Statistical publications, open data and data products

We produce a wide range of statistical publications and dashboards to provide visibility of how our health service is performing. We also provide open data to enable the public to benefit from our data assets.

Researcher typing at laptop computer with vials of blood samples in the foreground

Secure data access for authorised users

We provide access to confidential data for planning and evaluating NHS services and for medical research. This access is subject to strict controls and granted for legally authorised purposes which benefit the health and care system.

Two clinicians looking at laptop computer

Keeping data safe and benefitting the public

We collect, process and store healthcare data about patients. We protect this data by keeping it secure and we only use it for authorised purposes.

NHS Digital merger with NHS England

NHS England will continue to be an effective and secure guardian of public data, when it assumes all responsibilities previously undertaken by NHS Digital on 1 February. Learn how we will protect and safely use data in the new NHS England.

Protecting and safely using data

Our data blog

Experts talk about how we are using data to drive research and improve NHS and care services.

Data blog posts

Latest publications

11 April 2024

[MI] NHS e-Referral Service Open Data October 2019 to March 2024

11 April 2024

[MI] Community Diagnostic Centres and weekly CDC programme funded activity (by month) to 24 March 2024

11 April 2024

Out of Area Placements in Mental Health Services, January 2024

11 April 2024

Fit Notes Issued by GP Practices, England, December 2023

Freedom of information

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 gives you the right to obtain information held by public authorities unless there are good reasons to keep it confidential.

How to make a request