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Data Institute

The HSC Data Institute (“Data Institute”) within DHCNI works across HSC organisations to provide solutions and support to data challenges and initiatives. It empowers the HSC to take patient-centred and data-driven decisions, and to gain insight into the performance of the services delivered by collating, analysing and providing actionable data. This relies on the use of secure, compliant technology and platforms that can scale to meet the needs of end users.

The Data Institute is responsible for delivering a transformation agenda in data access and control technologies, and governance to support the secondary use of data for evaluation and research. This includes the development of new definitions, system technical guidance, coding standards, information governance, dashboard development, engagement, and the provision of datasets to aid research to help deliver more regionally standardised information that supports more streamlined and efficient flows of information for the HSC.

The Data Institute comprises Analytics & Insight, Coding & Standards, Information Governance, and the Northern Ireland Trusted Research Environment (NITRE). More information on these functions is available below.

Functions of the Data Institute

Analytics & Insight

Analytics & Insight seeks and provides insights that dig deeper, explain more, and are relevant and meaningful to our people. It provides data and analytics services in-house, and supports other HSC organisations to upskill their data capabilities through frameworks, capability matrices, recruitment, and training.

Analytics & Insight

Coding & Standards

Coding & Standards provides a range of services across HSC, including the Query Helpdesk, the Data Dictionary, and training with a view to improve the definition, collection, and reporting of timely, accurate, and consistent data, and to support the clinical coding profession in Northern Ireland.

Coding & Standards

Information Governance

Information Governance (IG) ensures that we manage our information correctly and that it aligns with best practices, legal requirements, and the public’s expectations. IG helps us to ensure that service user privacy and confidentiality are protected, whilst realising the value of our information for the benefit of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.

Information Governance

NITRE

The Northern Ireland Trusted Research Environment (NITRE) focuses on the development of data and connectivity infrastructure to enable collaborative data research and evaluation to improve insights into health and social care across Northern Ireland. HSC data should always be kept safely and securely, with access controlled through a transparent system of approvals which met best practice and standards.

Engagement Strategy

PDF: 641.37 KB

Click the button below to view our Engagment Strategy 2025-2028

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Contact the Data Institute

Contact the data institute via the email address below and a member of the team will be in touch:

DataInstitute@hscni.net

Click the link below to view our latest organisation chart:

Data Institute Organisation Chart

Page last updated: 24 June 2026