Data Sharing Accord
A Data Sharing Accord (DSA) and companion Checklist were developed and endorsed by SHP’s five major partners in 2019 to facilitate lawful and secure sharing of de-identified health data for research purposes.
Data Sharing Accord
The Accord outlines agreed processes for requesting access to, sharing and using de-identified data, and the Checklist is a practical tool to help data custodians and researchers manage such requests. De-identified data include data or information about an individual whose identity cannot be reasonably ascertained from the data or information, and which have a low risk of re-identification.
In late 2021, SHP and members of Maridulu Budyari Gumal (Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise; SPHERE) collaborated to review and update the Data Accord in consultation with stakeholders from both partner organisations and the NSW Ministry of Health. A revised version for use within SHP was approved by the Board in March 2023. SHP’s five health partner organisations and the University of Sydney have endorsed the Data Sharing Accord. Seven MRI partners have also opted into the agreement.
These documents have been approved for use by Sydney Health Partners member organisations. Approval from the Chief Operating Officer, Sydney Health Partners must be obtained, prior to use outside of SHP. Please contact us if you have any queries.
Next Steps
SHP is currently working with its partner organisations on wider adoption and implementation of the DSA.
Supplementary information - Researchers not employed by NSW Health who wish to access NSW Health data must do so via a secure access environment (SAE), also known as a trusted research environment (TRE). Further details are available here.
Share your case studies – we would like to hear about effective data sharing examples. Please contact Angela Todd, Research Director SHP at: angela.todd@sydney.edu.au