Reference & Terminology Service (RTS) Policies

Overview

The NIHR Reference & Terminology Service is part of an Integrated Research Intelligence System. It provides data to the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS), Local Portfolio Management Systems procured by the NIHR Local Clinical Research Networks (specifically, ReDA, R-Peak, DOCUMAS and StudyLine), the NIHR Coordinating Centre and the Health Research Authority. When accessing RTS you are required to be cognisant of the respective terms and conditions of the systems within the Integrated Research Intelligence System. 

The Reference & Terminology Service is the source of truth for reference data for the NIHR.  The reference data is drawn from many different sources, such as the NHS Digital's Organisational Data Service.

In order for research information systems to communicate with each other consistently and effectively, they need to use the same language. RTS is designed to provide this language by acting as a single "home" for all research reference data, that is capable of “talking” to any operational system.

RTS establishes and maintains a reference data gateway for organisation and site information, providing data for the Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS) as well as other applications in the NIHR Integrated Research Intelligence System.  However, RTS is not tied to any one operating system or programming language. This means it is capable of interacting with non-RDN systems and provides an opportunity for the entire clinical research community to access the valuable data it collects and holds. 

Key Policies 

• Use of RTS is governed by the Terms and Conditions which apply to all people who use it.

  • By using this service you are agreeing to these Terms and Conditions, you are undertaking to ensure the protection and security of all data accessed by you in the NIHR Reference Data & Terminology Service and to process this data in accordance with the Terms & Conditions.

• RTS does not collect personal information from its users; how the individual's data is used is governed by the Privacy Notice

• How RTS meets accessibility requirements is detailed in the Accessibility Statement

• RTS does not use non-essential cookies

Data governance

The Data Controller for RTS is Department of Health and Social Care. This system is managed by NIHR RDNCC on behalf of the Data Controller.

The responsible manager within NIHR RDNCC for RTS is the Enterprise Architect.

The purpose of RTS is to promote data standardisation and interoperability across NIHR and its partner organisations but it may be accessed across the wider clinical research community, subject to approval.

Currently all data are shared without any licensing restrictions but should it be necessary in future access to some RTS content may be restricted.

The Reference Data and Terminology Service can be accessed by individual users via its user interface or through system-to-system integration using its APIs. 

Security

RDNCC have a current ISO27001 certification, and provision of RTS falls within the scope of this. 

RDNCC review that the above controls are current and effective on at least an annual basis. This includes verification with DHSC as Data Controller.