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This guide will talk you through the process of accessing data from the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ SDE, specifically data within the ICHT tenancy. 

1. Before you apply

Check the available datasets 
Explore our metadata catalogues and identify the data you need. This information can be found [here]. Please list the data and dataset you require access to in your application.

Need new or linked data? 
Contact iCARE first. We may need to curate, link and anonymise the data. 

Applying for funding? 
Talk to us early about data availability, governance, ethics and security. 

Your project may need additional review if it involves:

• Data leaving the Trust
• Contact with patients, such as clinical trials
• Access to identifiable data
• Other activities requiring additional governance or committee approval

Not sure whether your project needs additional approval? Contact the iCARE team before submitting your application 

2. Write your application

Talk to us 
We can help you complete your NIHR ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Biomedical Research Centre Data Access Request Form

Submit your application 
Send your completed form to the iCARE team at imperial.dataaccessrequest@nhs.net for review before the monthly Committee deadline.  

3. How your application is reviewed

Please make sure the following points are clearly addressed in your application.

• Deliver public benefit
  Are in the public interest and have a clear purpose.

• Meet governance requirements
  Satisfy all relevant information governance and data protection requirements.

• Have an appropriate clinical sponsor
  Every project using patient data must have a practising clinician at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ College Healthcare NHS Trust as its clinical sponsor. They provide clinical oversight and help ensure the research and its outputs are relevant to patient care.

• Involve patients and the public
  Projects should have an appropriate patient and public involvement plan. Guidance is available through the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ PERC Guidance on Involving the Public in Health Data Research and the Public Involvement Resource Hub. If you do not yet have a plan, the NIHR ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Patient Experience Research Centre can provide advice.

• Are scientifically and academically robust
  The proposed research should be appropriate for the available data and avoid unnecessary duplication. Where similar projects exist, collaboration may be encouraged. 
• Declare commercial involvement
  Any commercial funding must be declared at the outset. Projects may be reviewed by the ICHT commercialisation group where required.
• Provide ongoing updates
  Continued access is conditional on keeping the Committee informed about project progress and outputs.

3. Application review

Initial triage 
The iCARE team will check your application and provide feedback if anything is missing. You may still be invited to the next stage, but outstanding information must be completed before the Committee meeting.

Committee review 
Your application will then be reviewed by the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Data Access and Prioritisation Committee. 

4. Present your proposal

You’ll be invited to present your project to the Data Access and Prioritisation Committee and answer questions. 

The panel includes clinicians, academics, patient and public representatives, information governance and ICT experts. 

For full guidance on the DAC please click [here]. 

5. Set up your access

Once approved, we’ll help you get access to your project data in the iCARE Secure Data Environment. 

You’ll need to: 

•  Sign the Terms of Use
•  Complete mandatory data protection training
•  Set up access to the secure virtual desktop 

6. Use the data responsibly

• Follow the Terms of Use 
  Use the data and conduct your research in line with the agreed requirements. 
•  Provide a 6-month update 
  Tell the Committee how your project is progressing. 
•  Report changes 
  Let the Committee know about any changes to your project as soon as possible. 
•  Re-apply after 12 months 
  If your project is still ongoing, you’ll need to apply for continued access

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7.  Acknowledgements

Any publications arising from research using data from the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ SDE must include the appropriate acknowledgements. Please see guidance [here] and notify the iCARE team a imperial.dcs@nhs.net.