National COVID-19 Chest Image Database (NCCID)

The National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database (NCCID) is a centralised UK database containing Chest X-Ray (CXR), Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) images from hospital patients across the country. This is to support a better understanding of the COVID-19 virus and develop technology which will enable the best care for patients hospitalised with a severe infection. It is an initiative established by NHSX with the support of the British Society of Thoracic Imaging (BSTI), Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Faculty Science Ltd. The benefits of collecting chest imaging data are extensive. This data has the potential to enable faster patient assessment in Accident and Emergency (A&E), save Radiologists’ time, increase the safety and consistency of care across the country, and ultimately save lives.

What data is collected

The NCCID collects processed digital chest X-ray, CT and MR images as well as Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) header information (de-identified). Associated clinical data (de-identified) from the collection sites is also gathered. Data will be collected for all COVID-19 positively-swabbed patients, and a smaller sample of COVID-19 negatively-swabbed patients.

The categories of data collected are:

Routine demographic data
Routine cardiorespiratory assessment data at presentation
All CXRs performed during evaluation for COVID-19
All CT scans performed during evaluation for COVID-19
All chest imaging performed in the 3 years preceding the first COVID-19-related imaging study (for COVID-19 positively-swabbed patients only)
Scans (including MR) performed to investigate cardiac damage thought to be COVID-19-related
Biochemical and haematological routinely collected data
Outcome data, including time to mechanical ventilation, discharge and death

The full list of clinical data points collected for positive and negative patients can found in the template spreadsheets on the Guidance And Documentation For Collection Sites page.

Data collection

If you have already joined the NCCID as a data collection site, please visit this website.

If you would like to join the NCCID as a data collection site, please ask your radiology department to contact imaging@nhsx.nhs.uk and we will send them the relevant documentation.

The hospitals and trusts already contributing data to NCCID are listed below:

All participating hospitals and trusts will be cited in any publication resulting from the use of NCCID data.

What the data can be used for

This project aims to produce improvements in healthcare delivery for COVID-19 patients by creating a national resource for chest imaging research.

The research enabled by the chest imaging database will provide information and tools that, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, support:

The determination of disease severity
Clinically useful diagnosis and prognosis
Patient triage and management
Decision making

We expect the data will be used to:

Develop image processing software. Example: An AI model that determines COVID-19 risk score from chest X-rays.
Mathematical Modelling. Example: A mathematical model that utilises chest X-rays to determine which patients in A&E will need a ventilator during their subsequent hospital stay.
Validation of AI products. Example: A study to determine the extent to which an AI model for the diagnosis of COVID-19 trained on non-UK data retains its performance when applied on data from UK patients.
Teaching resource for radiologists. Example: A teaching environment for radiologists where learners are presented with chest images, requested to diagnose COVID-19 cases, and receive feedback on their input.

How to request access to data

Users (including software vendors, academics and clinicians) requiring access to the database should fill in this form and provide a signed copy of the Data Access Framework Contract (if first time applying) and a Data Access Agreement. All documents should be sent to NHSX by contacting imaging@nhsx.nhs.uk.

Please note that research groups affiliated with a hospital can only request access to NCCID data if their hospital is already a collection site.

How requests are assessed

Access requests will be assessed by a committee of experts including:

4 or more scientific advisors
4 or more technology advisors
2 or more information-governance advisors
2 or more patient/ethics advisors
2 or more system advisors to evaluate the positive impact to the NHS overall
An administrator to manage the access requests
A chair person (this could be any of the advisors above)

Decisions will be guided by the following criteria:

Relevance to COVID-19
Scientific merit of the proposed work
Technical feasibility
Ability to deliver the work and track record of the applicants
Reasonable evidence that access to the data can benefit patients and the NHS
Compliance with GDPR and NHS standards of information governance
IT security

Applications are subject to external peer review if deemed proportionate and where the necessary expertise is not available within the committee.

Please note that data access is subject to a Data Access Agreement and a Data Access Framework Contract between the applicant and NHSX, for teaching, research and software development/validation purposes that address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Any access to the data and licences to use will expire when the COVID-19 COPI (COVID-19 – Notice under Regulation 3(4) of the Health Service Control of Patient Information Regulations 2002) ceases effect.