Dr Melanie Ivarsson has been appointed Chief Executive of the UK’s Health Data Research Service (HDRS), effective 12 January 2026. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) says the new body is backed by up to £600 million from the government and Wellcome and will be based at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Cambridgeshire. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/healthcare-innovator-appointed-to-health-data-research-service?utm_source=openai))
According to DHSC, the HDRS will create a secure, single access point to national‑scale NHS datasets for approved academic and commercial researchers, reducing duplicative applications and long approval cycles. The government positions the HDRS as part of its Plan for Change to expand responsible use of NHS data for research and service improvement. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/healthcare-innovator-appointed-to-health-data-research-service?utm_source=openai))
Access will be delivered through Secure Data Environments (SDEs) where de‑identified data is analysed within accredited, access‑controlled settings, with activity logs and clear governance. Government policy sets SDEs as the default route for research access and commits to transparency about which datasets are used, by whom and for what purpose. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/data-saves-lives-reshaping-health-and-social-care-with-data?utm_source=openai))
Use of patient information for research will continue to operate under the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the common law duty of confidentiality. The Health Research Authority advises that most health research relies on public interest or legitimate interests as the data protection legal basis, with consent primarily relevant to the common law duty or replaced by support under section 251 where obtaining consent is not practicable; the National Data Opt‑Out applies in specified circumstances. ([hra.nhs.uk](https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/policies-standards-legislation/data-protection-and-information-governance/gdpr-guidance/what-law-says/consent-research/?utm_source=openai))
On timetable, DHSC states the HDRS is mobilising to become operational in December 2026. Wellcome indicates first elements are planned by the end of 2026 with capabilities rolled out thereafter, while the government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan sets a 2026 minimum viable product and a full single‑entry service spanning GP, hospital, prescribing and registration data by 2030. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/healthcare-innovator-appointed-to-health-data-research-service?utm_source=openai))
The programme complements wider reforms to research delivery. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reports trial approval times have more than halved from 91 to 41 days, including fast‑track routes for lower‑risk studies. Separately, ministers aim to reduce commercial trial set‑up to 150 days or less by March 2026. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-clinical-trial-approval-times-twice-as-fast-with-ai-and-reforms?utm_source=openai))
DHSC highlights Ivarsson’s previous leadership of Moderna’s COVID‑19 vaccine clinical trials and senior roles at Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Takeda. Her brief includes building the service across the four nations while maintaining stringent privacy and ethical oversight. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/healthcare-innovator-appointed-to-health-data-research-service?utm_source=openai))
Governance arrangements are being established. Baroness Nicola Blackwood was named HDRS Chair in November 2025, and Science Minister Lord Vallance and Health Innovation Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed have publicly backed the programme. DSIT records confirm Lord Vallance’s ministerial role. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/healthcare-innovator-appointed-to-health-data-research-service?utm_source=openai))
The press notice confirms Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have agreed in principle to the UK‑wide ambition, with collaborative work to ensure benefits across all four nations and alignment with existing research data services. Wellcome notes close engagement with devolved health authorities. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/healthcare-innovator-appointed-to-health-data-research-service?utm_source=openai))
For research sponsors and data controllers, the government’s policy documents indicate the operating model to plan against: applications routed through a single front door; analysis conducted in accredited SDEs; publication of data‑use information; and, where confidential patient information is disclosed without consent, reliance on statutory support with the National Data Opt‑Out applied where relevant. A delivery plan is expected as the HDRS team publishes a technology landscape analysis by Emrys Health in early 2026. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/data-access-policy-update-proposed-draft/data-access-policy-update-proposed-draft?utm_source=openai))