UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON (UCL): This request forms part of an NIHR HS&DR funded evaluation that aims to study reconfiguration of acute stroke services in London and Greater Manchester.

Data-sharing agreement from NHS Digital registers of approved data releases, 2014–2019. Evidence status: source reported.

Organisation: University College London (UCL)
Source reference: DARS-NIC-161339-RC2NB-v1.6
Jurisdiction: England
Licence: Open Government Licence v3.0, subject to NHS England terms and exclusions

Register reference: DARS-NIC-161339-RC2NB-v1.6
Agreement period: not published to no end date published
For commercial purposes (as marked in the register): Not stated
Release files listed by NHS England: 9

Data approved

Office for National Statistics Mortality Data (linkable to HES)
Hospital Episode Statistics Critical Care
Hospital Episode Statistics Admitted Patient Care

Objective, as published

This request forms part of an NIHR HS&DR funded evaluation that aims to study reconfiguration of acute stroke services in London and Greater Manchester. In doing so, it aims to identify lessons that will guide future reconfiguration work in stroke and other services. BACKGROUND Considerable changes in the provision of clinical care within the English National Health Service (NHS) have been discussed in recent years, with proposals to concentrate specialist services, such as major trauma, cardiac surgery, and specialist paediatrics, in fewer centres serving larger populations. The case for reconfiguring acute stroke services was strong, with clear evidence of unacceptable variations in quality of care and clinical outcomes, with many patients not receiving timely, evidence-based care, which may in turn influence patient outcomes. Major system change in acute stroke care was prompted by the National Stroke Strategy (2007), which noted the importance of stroke services offering rapid access to evidence-based care, and the potential benefits of reorganising acute stroke services. London and Greater Manchester led the way in this process, radically re-organising their stroke services in 2010. Before reconfiguration, in both areas, patients with suspected stroke were taken to the nearest hospital with an Accident and Emergency (A&E) service, then admitted to a specialist stroke unit or general medical ward. LONDON After reconfiguration in 2010, the following system was implemented…

Expected benefits, as published

The continuation of research with HES/ONS data will provide vital evidence regarding organisation and provision of acute stroke services, building on Morris et al [2014]. In particular, it will provide further evidence on the impact of centralised acute stroke services on stroke patient mortality and length of stay and the sustainability of such effects over time. Importantly, it will also provide evidence on the cost-effectiveness of such changes. At present, many parts of the English NHS are exploring ways how to reorganise care, including acute stroke services. Current developments, such as Sustainability and Transformation Plans, are anticipated to have a strong focus on major system change and centralisation. The Stroke Research Team at UCL anticipate that by providing evidence on tw…

Source: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/2019/http://content.digital.nhs.uk/media/23861/Release-Register-December-16---February-17/xls/Release_Register__December_16_-_February_17.xlsx. Captured 2026-10-30.

Limitations: Agreement as recorded in an NHS Digital register of approved data releases (2014–2019), retrieved from the UK Government Web Archive. That register lists releases made in its period and the agreement's purpose statement as it then stood; it gives no agreement dates, and the agreement may have changed since. Imported only where a paper quotes a reference no current register holds.