The Connected South Yorkshire (ConSY) data asset

As a data asset, ConSY includes the provision of pseudonymised regional data, technical architecture and complex information governance solutions that are modular and adaptable to specific data requests, reducing administrative burdens and maximising real world impact.  

Through ConSY, health and social care data can be securely linked and accessed from different data providers from across the South Yorkshire region including hospitals, GP practices and local authorities. When analysed together, these data sources provide an incredibly rich, holistic view of patient pathways that enable health service provision and patient health outcomes to be evaluated and enhanced. 

This work delivers a key component of the SY Digital Innovation Strategy to create an intelligent data ecosystem that enables data access to approved academics to benefit the health of the region. As a fully scalable product, this aligns with the broad ambitions of the NHS England Data for R&D Programme to develop a national interoperable network of Secure Data Environments (SDEs) and a shared long-term vision for building a sentinel, network of regional linked health data assets to enable data-driven discoveries which improve peoples’ lives.

Available data 

Researchers can apply to access ICB Commissioning datasets through Data Connect https://digital.nhs.uk/services/data-services-for-commissioners/commissioning-datasets. Some primary care data may be made available to researchers who are approved via SY-ICB information governance protocols.  

Accessing the data

All data requests and enquiries should be made via Data Connect in the first instance. Requests will be triaged by Data Connect to determine if the request is valid and the data is available. 

Researchers will be required to fill in a ConSY Data Access Request Form. This will ask for: 

• Project summary including lay summary
• Detailed data specification and cohort definition
• Ethical approval status
• Analytic protocol and planned outputs

Depending on what data is being requested, data requests will either be assigned to the ConSY Data Access Process (managed by Data Connect) or the SY-ICB Data Access Process (including all requests for primary care data). 

For requests that are approved, data will be made securely available via the University of Sheffield Secure Data Service, or via the SY-ICB Data Service. 

For more information or to initiate a request, please contact dataconnect@sheffield.ac.uk