NHS OpenSAFELY Data Analytics Service Pilot Directions 2025

The purpose of these Directions (the Purpose) is to enable NHS England to establish a secure data analytics service using the OpenSAFELY technology, for users approved by or on behalf of NHS England to run queries on pseudonymised GP and NHS England patient data held by GP IT system suppliers within the GP system suppliers’ secure environments for the purposes set out in the requirements specification.

These Directions are given in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 254(1), 260 (1)(2)(d), and 304(9), (10) and (12) of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (the 2012 Act), sections 13ZC and 272(7) and (8) of the National Health Service Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) and regulation 32 of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Constitution and Functions) and NHS England (Information Functions) Regulations 2013 (the Regulations).

The service enabled by these Directions is operated by NHS England in the exercise of its powers under sections 1, 2 and Chapter A1 of the 2006 Act and section 270 of the 2012 Act.

These Directions are to be known as the NHS OpenSAFELY Data Analytics Service Pilot Directions 2025 and come into force on the date after the day on which they are signed.

These Directions cease to have effect on 31 March 2027 or such other date, if any, as the Secretary of State notifies to NHS England by a further direction.