Health databases & datasets: UK

HDB-0005

UK Biobank

UK Biobank Ltd Deep genetic, imaging and health data from 500,000 UK participants, linked to national health records with ongoing follow-up. The most-used large-scale biobank in the world for genomic and precision-medicine research; access requires an approved application and access fee. Open dataset By application HDB-0029

Binleys / HSJ Information

HSJ Information (Inspirit acquisition 2024) Binleys, operated by HSJ Information (acquired by Inspirit in June 2024, formerly Wilmington Healthcare), is a UK healthcare intelligence and database service containing information on NHS professionals, healthcare organizations, and key decision-makers. The platform provides healthcare market intelligence, provider directories, and stakeholder engagement services for pharmaceutical companies and healthcare suppliers through licensing agreements. Commercial provider By application HDB-0129

Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD)

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) CPRD is a database of de-identified patient records from a network of UK general practices, covering approximately 60 million historical patients with 18 million currently registered, operated by the MHRA with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Researchers access CPRD data for observational studies, clinical research, and surveillance through an application and review process conducted by the CPRD team. Research database By application HDB-0130

Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)

NHS England Digital HES is a national administrative database containing over 1 billion records of all NHS hospital admissions, outpatient appointments, and emergency department attendances in England, maintained by NHS England Digital. Researchers and organizations access HES data through data access request services for health services research, epidemiology, and policy evaluation. Research database By application HDB-0131

OpenSAFELY

Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, University of Oxford, in partnership with NHS England, TPP, and Optum OpenSAFELY is a trusted research environment and open-source analytics platform that enables researchers to conduct statistical analyses on pseudonymized primary care records from across the UK without direct access to individual patient data. Approved researchers submit analysis code that executes on the platform, with only aggregated results returned to researchers, ensuring privacy protection while supporting 200+ active projects. Research database Credentialed HDB-0132

SAIL Databank (Secure Anonymised Information Linkage)

Swansea University Medical School, funded by Health and Care Research Wales SAIL Databank is a trusted research environment containing anonymised health and social care records for approximately 5.5 million people in Wales, integrating data from NHS services, social care, educational records, and other administrative sources, with 25+ years of historical coverage and ISO 27001 certification. Researchers apply through a governance review process to access linked datasets for epidemiological, health services, and policy research. Research database Credentialed HDB-0133

Scotland National Safe Haven (eDRIS)

Public Health Scotland, Electronic Data Research and Innovation Service (eDRIS), hosted by EPCC and University of Edinburgh The Scotland National Safe Haven is a trusted research environment providing secure access to sensitive NHS patient records for approved research projects, governed by Scotland's Public Benefit and Privacy Panel. Accredited researchers submit applications for access to linked NHS data for epidemiology, health services research, and public health surveillance. Research database Credentialed HDB-0134

IQVIA Medical Research Data (IMRD)

IQVIA (previously known as The Health Improvement Network - THIN) IQVIA Medical Research Data is a longitudinal database of de-identified electronic health records from more than 6 million patients in England, derived from participating general practices using EMIS Health, Cegedim, and other clinical systems, and approved by the NHS Health Research Authority for medical research. Researchers access IMRD through application and data-sharing agreements for observational studies, pharmacovigilance, and comparative effectiveness research. Research database By application HDB-0135

Genomics England: 100,000 Genomes Project

Genomics England, funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care The 100,000 Genomes Project is a genomic database containing whole genome sequences from approximately 85,000 NHS patients affected by rare diseases or cancer, established between 2013 and 2018, with data linked to NHS clinical records and participant consent status. Qualified researchers can access the project's genomic and phenotypic data through application for research on disease genetics, therapeutic development, and diagnostics. Research database By application HDB-0136

Our Future Health

Our Future Health, a public-private partnership involving NHS England, UK Research and Innovation, Wellcome Trust, and industry partners Our Future Health is a health cohort and biobank recruiting up to 5 million UK participants with linked health records, physical measurements, biosamples, and genetic data, designed to enable large-scale research on disease prevention and treatment. Qualified researchers access de-identified participant data through a secure trusted research environment for studies on disease patterns, risk factors, and health outcomes across diverse populations. Research database By application HDB-0137

UK Data Service

UK Data Service (part of Jisc), funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and supported by partner institutions The UK Data Service maintains the UK's largest collection of research data, including health surveys (Health Survey for England, Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, National Child Measurement Programme) and social research datasets covering health outcomes, healthcare access, and population health. Researchers access health datasets for secondary analysis and educational purposes through online discovery tools with free or subscription-based registration. Research database Free registration HDB-0150

ISRCTN Registry

BioMed Central / Springer Nature ISRCTN is the UK's only WHO-recognised primary clinical study registry, accepting registration of interventional and non-interventional studies at any stage (proposed, ongoing, or completed). All records are freely searchable and openly accessible, supporting UK transparency requirements effective April 2026 that mandate prospective registration and results publication within 12 months. Research database Open access HDB-0161

HDR UK Innovation Gateway

HDR UK (Health Data Research UK) HDR UK Gateway is a centralized platform that enables researchers to discover, access, and link UK health datasets for research, including integration with the Cohort Discovery Service for secure exploration of patient cohorts across multiple datasets. The platform streamlines the researcher journey from feasibility assessment through data access agreements with NHS trusts, academic institutions, and other data holders. Research database Free registration HDB-0163

ALSPAC (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children)

University of Bristol A birth cohort study that recruited over 14,000 pregnant women between 1991-1992 and has continuously monitored participants and their descendants. Researchers can access study data by submitting research proposals through the dedicated proposal portal, with datasets available from longitudinal assessments, cognitive testing, and a new cohort of grandchildren. Open dataset By application HDB-0165

ELSA (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing)

NatCen Social Research in partnership with University College London and Institute for Fiscal Studies A longitudinal study of English aging spanning 24 years across 11 waves of data collection involving 24,000+ participants. Researchers can download datasets directly from the website, with additional procedures for accessing genetic data, supported by comprehensive user guides and the contact point ELSAdata@natcen.ac.uk. Open dataset Open access HDB-0167

Millennium Cohort Study (MCS)

Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), University College London A birth cohort study following approximately 19,000 young people born in 2000-2002 across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland through their life course. Researchers access data through CLS's data access portal with resources including documentation, a bibliography of 6,000+ publications, and training webinars, with a new consolidated core dataset released in July 2026. Open dataset Free registration