Work led by the Universty’s Professor Vanessa Higgins, Professor of Data Literacy and Professor Debora Price, Professor of Social Gerontology made headlines in The Guardian following the UK Data Service Health Studies User Conference in June, which brought national attention to  the future of the Health Survey for England (HSE).  

Drawing on their expertise in population data, large scale social surveys, and the use of data to inform fair and effective health policy, the Manchester academics highlight the vital role of robust evidence in ensuring policy keeps pace with societal change.

Launched in 1991, the Health Survey for England, has been the backbone of health policy evidence for more than three decades, providing annual, nationally representative data to monitor the nation’s health and guide healthcare delivery. At the June 2025 conference, the government confirmed that NHS England would no longer run the survey.  While details of any replacement are yet to be confirmed, discussions are under way on the future of population health surveys in England.

Since the conference, The UK Data Service has acted swiftly to ensure researchers’ voices are heard in the national debate:

• Boosting consultation responses – negotiating with Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to re-open a user consultation on the future of population health surveys for three weeks in July, generating a further 140 responses from health survey users.
• Showcasing impact – collaborating with a key health survey user to publish a Data Impact blog highlighting the importance of the survey: Help shape the future of population health surveys.
• Supporting decision-makers – at DHSC/ONS’s request, preparing a written summary of the Health Survey for England’s value and impact, including user testimonies, to feed into their internal report (due end of September), and advising on an expert peer-reviewers.

Through this work, Manchester academics and the UK Data Service are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Health Survey for England, influencing how health data will be collected to meet the challenges of a changing world.