Through the London Secure Data Environment we are joining up health and care data across London to help improve health outcomes in every community.
Our ambition is for London to be the healthiest global city, and the best in which to receive health and care services.
Joining up Londoners’ health and care information across the Capital is key to this.
This can help to ensure you receive the best possible joined up care by:
- further improving existing systems like the London Care Record that bring your health and care information together so frontline staff have the information they need about you at the point of care.
- developing even more effective ways to identify, support and treat those at risk of ill health.
Joined up information about people using health and care services can also help us plan and improve future services. For example this might be by looking at data about who is using services such as how many children are born so we can plan future services for young people.
Bringing together patient data can also help to understand more about different conditions and diseases and develop new treatments as well as run clinical trials. This can potentially help Londoners benefit from the latest cutting-edge research.
London Secure Data Environment
Through NHS England funding from the Sub-National Secure Data Environment Network programme, and building on existing initiatives in the Capital, we are developing a world leading resource for health and care improvement known as the London Secure Data Environment (SDE).
Londoners are centre stage of this work to ensure the London SDE meets public expectations and builds trust and confidence. You can read more about out work with Londoners, including the OneLondon Citizens’ Advisory Group, here.
The London SDE has two key elements: a London Data Service and a London Analytics Platform.
The London Data Service
The London Data Service securely collects patient information from a range of places such as GP surgeries and hospitals. It then organises and stores this information ready to be used by other approved systems such as the London Care Record or the London Analytics Platform.
It is stored as identifiable data so it can be used to support the direct care you receive. It is also stored as de-identified data which means it does not include information which could tell someone who you are. De-identified data is used for service planning and research purposes.
The London Analytics Platform
The London Analytics Platform uses data from the London Data Service to:
- Support health and care teams to provide direct/proactive care.
- Help health and care organisations to plan services.
- Help health and care organisations to assess and improve services.
- Help health and care academic teams or industry partners to perform research and development.
Privacy and security
The London SDE is designed to uphold the highest standards of privacy, security and confidentiality. This means health and care organisations, and in limited circumstances other approved third-parties, are able to access to patient level data without the data leaving the London SDE.
A strict process is in place for approving which organisations or projects will be able to use the London SDE. This involves a pan-London Independent Information Access Group (IIAG) with clinical and public representatives from each of London’s ICSs and five Data Access Committees which each represent an area of London (North West, North Central, North East, South East and South West). To see minutes from the IIAG’s meetings please click here.
What’s happening?
North East London Integrated Care System (ICS) is developing the London Data Service on behalf of all of London’s ICSs so it covers the whole of London’s population. Data collection from GP surgeries began in Spring 2025.
North West London ICS is developing the London Analytics Platform on behalf of all of London’s ICSs so it covers the whole of London’s population. This work builds on its existing Discover-NOW model that has been in place since 2018.
Once the London-wide data is linked, the London SDE will be able to provide approved users access to pseudonymised data for London’s whole population. This will create one of the largest data assets in the world and offer unparalleled opportunities for discovery science to improve patient care. We expect the platform will be operational from April 2026.
London Secure Data Environment ‘Driver Projects’
Four NHS-led ‘Driver Projects’ will help to showcase the potential of the new London Secure Data Environment (SDE) and inform its ongoing development, while delivering health improvement benefits for Londoners. These projects cover:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Children and young people’s mental health
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Cancer care
NHS Research Secure Data Environment Network
The London SDE is part of the national NHS Research Secure Data Environment Network which helps approved researchers by simplifying and accelerating secure access to NHS data. By enabling world class research, the SDE Network is transforming how data is used to drive innovation and improve patient care.
The SDE Network supports innovative research of all types, with a focus on:
- Algorithm training and development
- Clinical trial activities (feasibility, recruitment and follow-up)
- Real world studies
- Translational research
- Epidemiological studies
- Health systems research.
How your information is kept safe
By law, everyone working in, or on behalf of health and social care organisations, must respect patient privacy and keep your information safe. Our systems use a secure and encrypted system that meet NHS and social care security standards.
Only health and care staff involved in your care are allowed to view your records and an audit trail of everyone who accessed records using OneLondon tools is kept. Only approved organisations and/or approved researchers will be able to access the London Secure Data Environment.
Deciding not to share your information
You have a right to determine how your health and care information is used. You can object to your information being shared for direct care and to opt out of your data being used for planning and research purposes.
More information about how your health and care information is used, as well as how to exercise your right to object or opt out is available here.