Data Access Committee

The purpose of the HDNS Data Access Committee (DAC) is to review requests to conduct secondary data analysis for research or quality assessment purposes using the administrative datasets held by HDNS of Dalhousie University for privacy, security, and confidentiality concerns. 

To be reviewed at an upcoming HDNS DAC meeting, Data Access Requests must be submitted at least two (2) weeks in advance of the meeting.

2025 HDNS DAC Meeting Dates and Data Access Request Submission Deadlines:

The responsibilities of the HDNS Data Access Committee are to:

• Ensure the data requested shall be appropriate and specific to the research objectives and methodology.  
• Protect the confidentiality of personal health information in the custody of HDNS and the privacy of the individual who is the subject of that information.
• Ensure that conditions pursuant to the HDNS agreement with the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) for access to DHW data have been met. 
• Uphold standards of data access consistent with the highest levels of security, confidentiality and privacy in Canadian legislation, namely:
  • To maximize the protection of individual privacy;
  • To approve access to linked data files only to nominated researchers involved in specific, approved research projects;
  • To approve access by researchers to minimum datasets required for their specific project;
  • To provide data to support approved quality review initiatives
  • To assure data custodians that those data which are their responsibility will be used appropriately and confidentiality and security obligations will be met.
• Ensure that any proposed record linkage is not harmful to individuals or providers and the benefits derived from the record linkage are clearly in the public interest.