When people visit their GP, get a prescription, or receive treatment in hospital, information about their care is stored in NHS databases. Because this information comes from real healthcare experiences rather than from experiments or clinical trials, it is called real-world data.
When this information is used safely and without identifiable individual patients, it can help researchers learn how healthcare services are used and how much they cost. However, NHS databases are organised in different ways, which makes it difficult to combine and study the information.
This project will create standard digital tools that make it easier to analyse NHS data from different sources in a consistent and reliable way.
Why does this matter?
Making decisions about NHS services depends on having reliable information about how healthcare is used and how much it costs. This project will develop tools that improve the way we understand this. By making this information easier to understand and compare, the project will help those who write national guidance and policy to make better-informed decisions about healthcare services and treatments.
What will the project do?
1. Improve the way different NHS records are linked to make them easier to analyse.
2. Generate computer code that other researchers can use to:
– analyse healthcare resource use and cost in a consistent way
– identify what increases costs for specific diseases or treatments
– present results clearly using charts, maps and graphs.
3. Make tools freely available and provide training to help people use then effectively.
How can you help?
– Sharing your views, experiences, and ideas that can help shape the research project.
– Suggesting conditions or interventions we should consider looking into.
– Reviewing written summaries for clarity.
– Advising on how best to communicate results.
We welcome interest from anyone who uses NHS services – whether as a patient, a carer, or simply as a member of the public. We are keen to hear from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including those who may feel their communities are not always well represented in research. You must be aged 18 years or over.
Time commitment
Initially 2 or 3 online meetings of about 2 hours between July and September, dates to be confirmed.
To apply, please email Bea Giglio on the address below. The deadline to apply is 29 June 2026.
Reimbursement
We will pay £27.50/hour plus £5 towards internet costs.
Organisation
NDORMS/University of Oxford
Contact
Bea Giglio: heor@ndorms.ox.ac