Our Plan

Building the future

Delivery is moving forward, with clear milestones shaping how the service will take shape, launch and grow.

Timeline

This is our story so far and our plan for the years ahead – building towards a world-leading resource for health data research.

We will continue to be transparent about how the service is designed, launched and expanded – building towards a world-leading resource for health data research.

2024 – Identifying the opportunity

The Sudlow Review highlights the opportunity of uniting the UK’s Health Data, noting the current fragmented landscape and need for a new approach

2025 – Funding announced

The prime minister and Wellcome announce £600m to create the Health Data Research Service. A programme of discovery work takes place to inform its development, consulting with a wide range of people including the public.

2026 – Decisions and design

Co-designed with patients and users, HDRS will set out how the service operates – including governance, infrastructure and how researchers will work with health data.

2027 to 2029 – Launch and growth

In this period, we expect capability to grow, data availability to expand and infrastructure to mature, More researchers will begin using HDRS to support studies across the UK.

2030 and beyond – Global leadership

The ambition is for the UK to become a world leader in the use of health data safely at scale – supporting better research, better care and a stronger life sciences ecosystem.

the road ahead

Our journey

We know what we want to achieve: lives changed, treatments found, inequalities surfaced. Getting there is a journey that must be shared between researchers, scientists, academics and the patients we are here to serve.

Two professionals working together at a desk, reviewing data on a computer screen and printed documents.

our activities

The year ahead

In its first year, HDRS will deliver activities across five key areas:

Maintain existing health research infrastructure in England

Provide stability through funding existing foundational services within the NHS.

Mobilise HDRS

Establish the essential corporate structures, staffing and functions for the new organisation, alongside critical capabilities for designing and delivering the vision and future strategy of HDRS.

Define the HDRS strategy and service blueprint

By the end of this year, we will publish our delivery roadmap.

Early strategic investments

Over the course of the year, HDRS will invest in projects to help inform the long term build of the service.

Commence long-term transformation

Select and initiate transformation projects in key areas, including technology, operations, policy and governance.