UK Data Service expertise helps government listen to researchers on the future of health data
Working with the Department of Health and Office for National Statistics, Â鶹´«Ã½ academics from the UK Data Service have ensured that researchers are fully represented in shaping the future of health data collection in England.
Work led by Professor Vanessa Higgins (Professor of Data Literacy in the Social Sciences and Service Director of Training and User Support, ) and (Professor of Social Gerontology and Deputy Director, UK Data Service) has made headlines in following the UK Data Service in June, which brought national attention to the future of the (HSE).
Drawing on their expertise in population data, large scale social surveys, and the use of data to inform fair and effective health policy, the Â鶹´«Ã½ academics highlight the vital role of robust evidence in ensuring policy keeps pace with societal change.
Launched in 1991, the Health Survey for England, has been the backbone of health policy evidence for more than three decades, providing annual, nationally representative data to monitor the nation’s health and guide healthcare delivery. At the June 2025 conference, the government confirmed that NHS England would no longer run the survey. While details of any replacement are yet to be confirmed, discussions are under way on the future of population health surveys in England.
Since the conference, The UK Data Service has acted swiftly to ensure researchers’ voices are heard in the national debate:
- Boosting consultation responses – negotiating with (DHSC) and the (ONS) to re-open a user consultation on the future of population health surveys for three weeks in July, generating a further 140 responses from health survey users.
- Showcasing impact – collaborating with a key health survey user to publish a Data Impact blog highlighting the importance of the survey: .
- Supporting decision-makers – at DHSC/ONS’s request, preparing a written summary of the Health Survey for England’s value and impact, including user testimonies, to feed into their internal report (due end of September), and advising on an expert peer-reviewers.
Through this work, Â鶹´«Ã½ academics and the UK Data Service are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Health Survey for England, influencing how health data will be collected to meet the challenges of a changing world.