RDS shortlisted for Digital Health and Care award

The Researcher Access Service,  which was launched in April 2024, is a streamlined end-to-end digital service that enables academics and data users conducting research for the public good to access secure data in a faster and simpler way. 

Created and managed collaboratively with electronic Data Research and Innovation Service (eDRIS), which is part of Public Health Scotland and one of RDS’s founding partners, the Researcher Access Service has been designed around the needs of researchers and data users.  

Researchers from approved organisations can apply to use one or more of nine datasets — these are nine of Public Health Scotland's most frequently requested datasets, including hospital admissions, prescribing, emergency attendances and births.

To date, 14 project proposals have been assessed as suitable for the Researcher Access Service. Of these, two projects, which both address important mental health topics, are now actively working with data.  

By streamlining the data access process, RDS is ensuring that researchers spend less time overcoming administrative hurdles and more time on what matters most — generating insights that can improve, and even save, the lives of people in Scotland.  

Other Award categories include:  

• Data Driven Innovation Award   
• Technology Enabled Independent Living Award  
• Industry Collaboration Award 
• Digital Health and Care Team Award 
• Digital Inclusion Award 
• Digital Leader Award  

They recognise the achievements of the individuals and teams working in the health, social care, and housing sectors, whose innovation and creativity continue to put Scotland at the forefront of the digital revolution. 

Holyrood Connect is hosting the annual awards on 18 February 2025.