The Data Access Map is a visual representation of the processes for accessing data held within different Trusted Research Environments (TREs, also known as Secure Data Environments (SDEs)). It is designed to help researchers navigate the steps required to access data, which can be complex. The map covers the four nations of the UK and includes relevant ethical and governance approvals.
The Data Access Map found inspiration from the London Tube map. Each of the ‘train lines’ on the map represents a different data access process, for example, the orange line represents the Honest Brooker Service TRE. Each coloured ‘zone’ represents an area of responsibility:
Steps that are highlighted in yellow have patient and public involvement.
Interactive process map
An interactive process map provides a simplified version of the data access process for each TRE/SDE. You can click on each step of the data access process to see further guidance and links to more detailed information on the TRE/SDE website.
The Data Access Map was created by the Pan-UK Data Governance Steering group, a working group of the UK Health Data Research Alliance, and supported by the Medical Research Council (MRC).
The Data Access Map aims to improve transparency about how data is accessed and enable researchers to better understand and navigate data access processes.
We welcome collaboration with data custodians to improve and expand upon the Data Access Map, please contact informationgovernance@hdruk.ac.uk
Thank you to the following contributors for making this project possible.
