What is UK CliC?
The UK Clinical Cohorts (UK CliC) Trusted Research Environment (TRE) is a secure platform that allows researchers to access anonymised linked cohort data for cardiovascular and metabolic research. This helps research teams to streamline linking their cohort data to NHS data, speeding up their work.
Hosted within the SAIL Databank, the UK CliC TRE provides:
- Regularly updated linked datasets to support timely research.
- A secure environment where data remains protected and anonymised.
- Seamless collaboration for accredited researchers across institutions.
Trust and security at its heart
The UK CliC TRE has been developed within the SAIL Databank. SAIL is an ISO 27001 certified and UK Statistics Authority accredited environment which navigates the rigorous legal and regulatory framework surrounding the use of personal data. SAIL Databank reduces the risk to researchers associated with collecting, storing and analysing sensitive data.
UK CliC has adopted the Five Safes Framework, which allows TRE operators to provide safe access to data:
- Safe People – only approved researchers are granted access.
- Safe Projects – proposals are reviewed for scientific merit and public benefit.
- Safe Settings – data are accessed only within the secure SAIL infrastructure.
- Safe Data – datasets are de-identified and curated for research use.
- Safe Outputs – all results undergo disclosure control prior to release.
For Cohort Owners
For cohort teams interested in using the UK CliC TRE.
For Researchers
For researchers who would like to apply to access data held within the UK.
For the Public
For members of the public or participants in a cohort who is using the UK CliC TRE.
Key information:
Privacy Statement
The privacy statement will be available to view in due course.
Data Use Register
For more information on the projects using the UK CliC TRE please visit our collection on the Health Data Research Gateway.
Meet the team
Amy Coombe
Research Project Coordinator for the BHF Data Science Centre.
Fionna Chalmers
Early Career Health Data Scientist for the BHF Data Science Centre.
Lynn Morrice
Operations Director of the BHF Data Science Centre.
Ross Forsyth
Research Project Manager for the BHF Data Science Centre.
Reecha Sofat
BHF Data Science Centre Associate Director and Theme Lead for Enhancing Cohorts.
Sarah Lessels
Senior Operations Programme Manager for the BHF Data Science Centre.
Tom Bolton
Senior Health Data Scientist for the BHF Data Science Centre.
Whole Population Data
We aim to improve access to and use of high-quality, linked health datasets covering entire populations across the UK.
Defining Disease
To drive large-scale, data-driven research, we’re working to develop and share reusable definitions of cardiovascular diseases in computable forms. These definitions enable researchers to interpret and use health data, leading to more accurate and reproducible studies.
Data Enabled Clinical Trials
By integrating routinely collected NHS health data into clinical trials, we’re helping researchers recruit participants more effectively, reduce administrative burdens, and generate real-world evidence that can lead to quicker, more impactful advances in cardiovascular care.
Imaging
Cardiovascular imaging research has the potential to transform disease diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment. This area aims to improve access to imaging data linked to health-relevant datasets across the UK, enabling innovative research and improving patient outcomes.
Smartphones and Wearables
We’re working to unlock the potential of smartphone and wearable data to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cardiovascular disease, by establishing secure access to and fair use of smartphone and wearable data linked to healthcare records.
CVD-COVID-UK / COVID-IMPACT
CVD-COVID-UK/COVID-IMPACT is a major research programme coordinated by the BHF Data Science Centre, bringing together a consortium of over 400 researchers across more than 50 organisations. The programme enables analysis of anonymised, linked, nationally collated healthcare datasets across the UK to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease, as well as its impact on other health conditions and risk factors.
Diabetes Data Science Catalyst
This exciting partnership between the BHF Data Science Centre, Diabetes UK and HDR UK aims to develop improvements in our understanding of the link between cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Stroke Data Science Catalyst
A partnership between the BHF Data Science Centre, the Stroke Association, and HDR UK, using data to drive research into stroke prevention, treatments, and care.
Kidney Data Science Catalyst
This partnership between the BHF Data Science Centre, Kidney Research UK and HDR UK will enable researchers to securely access, link and analyse existing UK health data, speeding up the search for better kidney and cardiovascular disease prevention, treatments, and care.