Research Data and Informatics Team

The Research Data and Informatics Team (R-DIT) provides the following services:

• Research Data Access request service to provide de-identified LTHT datasets for research projects
• Research analytics service for small-scale pump-priming to build larger projects and further grant funding
• Informatics support within the Research and Innovation (R&I) department 

Co-location with the central R&I management team gives access to research governance, contracting and setup support functions. 

How to apply for a Research Data Access request?

***Please note that R-DIT is currently prioritising COVID-19 related requests. Please expect a delay for all other requests.

To request data for research purposes, a Research Data Access Request form is completed and reviewed by the Data Access Committee for approval. The Data Access Committee includes the Caldicott Guardian, Information Governance, Research Governance and the Chief Clinical Information Officer.  

Figure 1: Research Data Access Request process.

1. Informal Discussion

We suggest that you contact R-DIT prior to completing a Research Data Access Request Form. Where possible, we will arrange an initial meeting to discuss your requirements, including the de-identification process and give guidance on how to proceed with your request. You can email the team on leedsth-tr.researchdata@nhs.net. If you require further guidance or have any questions regarding Research Data, please feel free to get in touch on the same email.

Prior to any release of data, the requester and any persons who will access the data must declare they have attended Mandatory Information Governance Training or the Research Academy course: “How to Use Real World Data from LTHT for Research”.  Please email leedsth-tr.researchdata@nhs.net for details of these courses.

Costs for Services

Data Requests are broken into 4 tiers for costing based on their complexity.  The charges cover the following:

• Administration of the application
• Support in developing the application
• Review by the Data Access Committee
• The development of the extract specification
• Data production
• Data de-identification
• Data dissemination (Multiple releases of data incur additional fees)

The following table describes these tiers and exemplar academic costs for them. We will quote for individual projects in each tier based on the individual needs. We will also quote separately for commercial applications.

 2. Application

Please refer to the Research Data Access Request guidance when completing the form. Please ensure that all necessary research approvals, ethics, information governance and contracts are in place before submitting your application. Once completed, submit the form via email to R-DIT on:

leedsth-tr.researchdata@nhs.net and leedsth-tr.informationgovernance@nhs.net.

Committee Review

The form will be reviewed by the Data Access Committee. Once a decision has been reached, R-DIT will provide you with feedback.

If the request is rejected and you wish to continue with your project, you will need to reapply with a new Research Data Access Request submission for the next Data Access Committee meeting. Please make sure all points of feedback from the previously rejected request are addressed in the new application.

 3. Data Extraction/De-identification

If your request is approved, a member of R-DIT will contact you to discuss the process for data extraction and the release of de-identified data.

Key Documents 

Data Access Request Form

Research Data Access Request - Guidance

Data Access Committee Meetings 2020 - 2021