Health Minister Zubir Ahmed has announced that Baroness Nicola Blackwood has been appointed as Chair of the Health Data Research Service, backed by up to £600 million in funding from the Government and Wellcome.
Patients across the UK will benefit from faster access to lifesaving treatments, thanks to the new service, that will turbocharge access to NHS data for researchers developing medicines and therapies.
Baroness Blackwood is a recognised leader in life sciences and innovation, serving as Chair of Oxford University Innovation and Genomics England, and sitting on the boards of BioNTech and RTW Biotech Opportunities.
The HDRS will transform how researchers access health and care data by creating a secure single access point to national-scale datasets, slashing red tape, and speeding up research while maintaining rigorous safeguards for privacy and security.
Currently, obtaining health data is slow and fragmented. HDRS will streamline processes, enabling approved researchers to accelerate the discovery of new treatments that improve patient care.
Key Features of HDRS:
- Single front door for UK-wide health data access
- High security standards with encryption and controlled environments
- Use of synthetic data to protect patient privacy
- Strict governance ensuring only approved researchers access data
Commenting on Baroness Blackwood’s appointment, Health Innovation Minister Zubir Ahmed said:
“As a practising surgeon, I know how important it is for patients to receive the latest treatment quickly and safely. I am delighted to announce Baroness Blackwood’s appointment, who will play an important role in helping us build an NHS fit for the future.
“By unlocking the power of NHS data safely and securely, we will accelerate lifesaving research that will deliver better treatments for patients faster. This is about harnessing the incredible potential of our health service’s data to drive medical breakthroughs, while maintaining gold-standard protections for patient privacy.
“Baroness Blackwood’s proven leadership in life sciences and innovation will be instrumental in making Britain the best place in the world for medical research.”
The appointment marks a critical step as HDRS moves from planning to implementation. The service has been approved as a Government Company, incorporation is underway, and recruitment for a CEO has started.
HDRS aligns with the government’s 10-Year Health Plan, Modern Industrial Strategy, and Life Sciences Sector Plan, supporting economic growth and high-quality job creation.
Stakeholder engagement between June and October 2025 shaped HDRS’s ambition: research-ready data, transparent processes, and timely access.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have agreed in principle to the UK-wide ambition, ensuring HDRS benefits all four nations.
Image credit: iStock
