NHS Information Authority

Data Standards Programme

DSCN 08/2001 introduced the recording of nurse activity within Commissioning Data Sets (CDS) and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) from 1st April 2002.

DSCN 14/2002 revised the data standards for some default codes including those related to Midwife and Nurse default codes.

The following are the changes to the NHS Data Dictionary & Manual to reflect changes to Specialty Function Codes and references to Nursing Episodes.

CONSULTANT CODE

Format/length:	an8
HES item:	CONSULT
National Codes:
Default Codes:	C9999998 - Consultant code not known
	D9999998 - Dentist code not known
	M9999998 - Not applicable - Midwife
	N9999998 - Not applicable - Nurse

Notes:
This is the GMC code for the CONSULTANT, which is the unique identifier for the consultant as a PERSON, i.e. the PERSON IDENTIFIER TYPES classification 'Consultant Code - GMC'. For GPs working as Consultants, the GP's GMC code should be used, see data item note for GMP (CODE OF REGISTERED OR REFERRING GMP).

The GMC code is an eight character alphanumeric code based on the GMC registration number; the first character will be the letter `C'; characters 2 to 7 will be the doctor's GMC number, see PRACTITIONER CODES.

If a dental consultant is not registered with the GMC, the Dentists' Practice Board number has to be used prefixed with D.

All MIDWIFE EPISODES are identified in the Admitted Patient Care CDS and HES by a pseudo main consultant specialty code, 560, see Speciality Function Codes. A default code is used in the CONSULTANT CODES field to show that a MIDWIFE is the responsible professional. A default code is used in the CONSULTANT CODE field to show that a MIDWIFE is the responsible professional. Note that the midwife's own code is not used.

All NURSING EPISODES are identified in the Admitted Patient Care CDS and HES by a pseudo main consultant specialty code, 950, see Specialty Function Codes. A default code is used in the CONSULTANT CODE field to show that a NURSE is the responsible professional. Note that the nurse's own UKCC code is not used.

This data element is also known by these names:

Context	Alias
plural	CONSULTANT CODES

CONSULTANT SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODE

Format/length:	n3
HES item:	TRETSPEF
National Codes:
Default Codes:

Notes:
This is the specialty under which the PATIENT is treated. It may be the same as the SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODE recorded as the consultant's main SPECIALTY or a different specialty function which will be the consultant's interest specialty. Both the main specialty function and the interest specialty function should be based on one of the Royal College specialties, see Speciality Function Codes.

All MIDWIFE EPISODES and NURSING EPISODES are identified in the Admitted Patient care CDS and HES by a pseudo consultant specialty code of 560 for midwives and 950 for nurses, see Specialty Function Codes.

This data element is also known by these names:

Context	Alias
plural	CONSULTANT SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES

END DATE (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)

END DATE (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)

END DATE (EPISODE)

END DATE (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)

Format/length:	n8 - ccyymmdd
HES item:	EPIEND
National Codes:
Default Codes:

Notes:
END DATES (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE) is the same as attribute END DATE.

This data element is also known by these names:

Context	Alias
plural	END DATES (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)
plural	END DATES (EPISODE)

SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODE

Format/length:	n3
HES item:	MAINSPEF
National Codes:
Default Codes:

Notes:
SPECIALTY FUNCTION, based on SPECIALTY, classifies clinical work divisions more precisely for a limited number of specialties. See Speciality Function Codes for the full list of codes.

All MIDWIFE EPISODES and NURSING EPISODES are identified in the Admitted Patient care CDS and HES by a pseudo main consultant specialty code of 560 for midwives and 950 for nurses, see Specialty Function Codes.

This data element is also known by these names:

Context	Alias
plural	SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES

START DATE (CONSULTANT EPISODE)

Format/length:	n8 - ccyymmdd
HES item:	EPISTART
National Codes:
Default Codes:

Notes:
As for data item note START DATE (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE). As for data item note START DATE (EPISODE).

This data element is also known by these names:

Context	Alias
plural	START DATES (CONSULTANT EPISODE)

START DATE (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)

START DATE (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)

START DATE (EPISODE)

START DATE (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)

Format/length:	n8 - ccyymmdd
HES item:	EPISTART
National Codes:
Default Codes:

Notes:
START DATES (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE) is the same as attribute START DATE.

Record the start and end dates of the episode to derive the period that the PATIENT was under the care of a particular consultant or midwife during the HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL.

This data element is also known by these names:

Context	Alias
plural	START DATES (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)
plural	START DATES (EPISODE)

ADMITTED PATIENT CARE CDS TYPE - BIRTH EPISODE

COMMISSIONING DATA SET (CDS)

ADMITTED PATIENT CARE CDS TYPE - BIRTH EPISODE

The Admitted Patient Care Birth Episode Commissioning Data Set Type carries the data for a finished or unfinished Birth Episode. The column headed Opt (Optionality) shows whether the Data item is Mandatory M or Optional O. The column headed U/A (Unfinished Episode / Annual Census) indicates whether the Data Item is required to be recorded on an unfinished Birth Episode record and on an End of Year Census record. An R in the U/A column idicates that it is required to be present, a blank indicates that it is not required to be present.
Opt	CDS Data Item	U/A
Person Group (Patient): To carry the personal details of the Patient (the baby). One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE (LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE	R
O	NHS NUMBERS	R
M	BIRTH DATES	R
M	BIRTH WEIGHTS	R
M	LIVE OR STILL BIRTHS	R
O	ETHNIC CATEGORIES	R
M	NHS NUMBER STATUS INDICATOR	R
M	SEX	R
O	NAME FORMAT CODES	R
O	PATIENT NAMES	R

Note: For reasons of confidentiality, the patient's preferred name and address (not including POSTCODE OF USUAL ADDRESS) must not be carried where a valid NHS Number is present. Birth Episodes do not carry address details for a baby. By local agreement, it may be assumed that the baby's address details are identical to that of the mother whose details may be carried in the Person Group (Mother) of the Birth Occurrence Group.

(HCA) Hospital Provider Spell - Activity Characteristics: To carry the details of the Spell containing the Birth Episode. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL NUMBERS	R
M	ADMINISTRATIVE CATEGORIES (on admission)	R
M	PATIENT CLASSIFICATIONS	R
M	ADMISSION METHOD (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
M	DISCHARGE DESTINATIONS (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)
M	DISCHARGE METHODS (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)
M	SOURCE OF ADMISSION (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
M	START DATES (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
M	DISCHARGE DATES (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Activity Characteristics: To carry the details of the Birth Episode undergone by the Patient. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	EPISODE NUMBERS	R
M	LAST EPISODE IN SPELL INDICATORS	R
M	NEONATAL LEVEL OF CARE	R
M	OPERATION STATUS (per episode)	R
M	NUMBER OF AUGMENTED CARE PERIODS WITHIN EPISODES	R
M	START DATES (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)	R
M	START DATES (EPISODE)	R
M	END DATES (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)
M	END DATES (EPISODE)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Service Agreement Details: To carry the details of the Service Agreement for the Birth Episode.
M	COMMISSIONING SERIAL NUMBERS	R
O	NHS SERVICE AGREEMENT LINE NUMBERS	R
O	PROVIDER REFERENCE NUMBERS
M	COMMISSIONER REFERENCE NUMBERS	R
M	ORGANISATION CODES (CODE OF PROVIDER)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
M	ORGANISATION CODES (CODE OF COMMISSIONER)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Person Group (Consultant): To carry the details of the responsible Consultant, Midwife or Nurse. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	CONSULTANT CODES	R
M	SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES	R
M	CONSULTANT SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES	R
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Information Group (ICD): To carry the details of the ICD Diagnosis Scheme and the Diagnoses. Up to 13 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
M	DIAGNOSIS SCHEME IN USE	R
M	PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS (ICD)	R
M	SECONDARY DIAGNOSIS (ICD) (1st to 12th, there may be up to 12 repetitions)	R
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Information Group (READ): To carry the details of the READ Diagnosis Scheme and the Diagnoses. Up to 13 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
O	DIAGNOSIS SCHEME IN USE
O	PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS (READ)
O	SECONDARY DIAGNOSIS (READ) (1st to 12th, there may be up to 12 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Activity Group (OPCS): To carry the details of the OPCS coded Clinical Activities undertaken. Up to 12 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
M	PROCEDURE SCHEME IN USES
M	PRIMARY PROCEDURE (OPCS)
M	PROCEDURE DATES
M	PROCEDURE (OPCS) (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
M	PROCEDURE DATE (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Activity Group (READ): To carry the details of the READ coded Clinical Activities undertaken. Up to 12 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
O	PROCEDURE SCHEME IN USES
O	PRIMARY PROCEDURE (READ)
O	PROCEDURE DATE
O	PROCEDURE (READ) (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
O	PROCEDURE DATE (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Location Group - Start of Episode: To carry the details of the location at the start of the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode (eg the ward). One occurrence of this Group is permitted. Up to 99 occurrences of Location Groups (in total - all types) are permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS	R
M	SITE CODE (OF TREATMENT) (at start of episode)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
O	INTENDED CLINICAL CARE INTENSITY	R
O	AGE GROUP INTENDED	R
O	SEX OF PATIENTS	R
O	WARD DAY PERIOD AVAILABILITY	R
O	WARD NIGHT PERIOD AVAILABILITY	R
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Location Group - Ward Stay: To carry the details of one or more Ward Stays. Up to 99 occurrences of Location Groups (in total - all types) are permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS
M	SITE CODE (OF TREATMENT)
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
O	INTENDED CLINICAL CARE INTENSITY
O	AGE GROUP INTENDED
O	SEX OF PATIENTS
O	WARD DAY PERIOD AVAILABILITY
O	WARD NIGHT PERIOD AVAILABILITY
O	START DATE (at start of stay)
O	END DATE (at end of stay)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Location Group - End of Episode: To carry the details of the location at the end of the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode (eg the ward). One occurrence of this Group is permitted. Up to 99 occurrences of Location Groups (in total - all types) are permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS
M	SITE CODE (OF TREATMENT) (at end of episode)
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
O	INTENDED CLINICAL CARE INTENSITY
O	AGE GROUP INTENDED
O	SEX OF PATIENTS
O	WARD DAY PERIOD AVAILABILITY
O	WARD NIGHT PERIOD AVAILABILITY
(HCA) Augmented Care Period: To carry the details of the Augmented Care undergone by the Patient. Up to the 9 most recent Augmented Care Periods that occur during a Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode may be included.
M	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD NUMBERS	R
O	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD LOCAL IDENTIFIER	R
M	START DATES (AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD)	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD SOURCES	R
M	INTENSIVE CARE LEVEL DAYS	R
M	HIGH DEPENDENCY CARE LEVEL DAYS	R
M	NUMBER OF ORGAN SYSTEMS SUPPORTED for intensive care level only)	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE PLANNED INDICATORS	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE OUTCOME INDICATORS
M	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD DISPOSALS
M	END DATES (AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD)
M	SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES (AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD)	R
M	LOCATION CLASS	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE LOCATIONS	R
(HCA) GP Registration: To carry the details of the baby's mother's Registered GMP. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	GMP (CODE OF REGISTERED OR REFERRING GMP)	R
O	CODE OF GP PRACTICE (REGISTERED GMP)	R
O	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
(HCA) Referral: To carry the details of the referrer. This will be the referral that led to the mother's Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	REFERRER CODES	R
M	REFERRING ORGANISATION CODES	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
(HCA) Pregnancy Activity Characteristics: To carry the number of babies resulting from this pregnancy. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	NUMBER OF BABIES	R
(HCA) Antenatal Care Activity Characteristics: To carry details of the start of the antenatal care. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	FIRST ANTENATAL ASSESSMENT DATES	R
(HCA) Antenatal Care Person Group (Responsible Clinician): To carry details of the responsible clinician. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	GMP (CODE OF GMP RESPONSIBLE FOR ANTENATAL CARE)	R
O	CODE OF GP PRACTICE (REGISTERED GMP - ANTENATAL CARE)	R
O	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
(HCA) Antenatal Care Location Group (Delivery Place Intended): To carry details of the intended delivery place. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS	R
M	DELIVERY PLACE CHANGE REASONS	R
M	DELIVERY PLACE TYPE (INTENDED)	R
(HCA) Hospital Labour/Delivery Activity Characteristics: To carry details of the Labour/Delivery. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	ANAESTHETIC GIVEN DURING LABOUR OR DELIVERY	R
M	ANAESTHETIC GIVEN POST LABOUR OR DELIVERY	R
O	GESTATION LENGTH (LABOUR ONSET)	R
M	LABOUR OR DELIVERY ONSET METHODS	R
M	DELIVERY DATES	R
(HCA) Birth Occurrence Activity Characteristics: To carry details of the birth occurrence. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	BIRTH ORDERS	R
M	DELIVERY METHODS	R
M	GESTATION LENGTH (ASSESSMENT)	R
M	RESUSCITATION METHODS	R
M	STATUS OF PERSON CONDUCTING DELIVERIES	R
(HCA) Birth Occurrence Person Group (Mother): To carry the personal details of the baby's mother. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
O	LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER (MOTHER)	R
O	ORGANISATION CODE (LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER (MOTHER))	R
O	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE (MOTHER)
O	NHS NUMBER (MOTHER)	R
O	NHS NUMBER STATUS INDICATOR (MOTHER)	R
M	BIRTH DATE (MOTHER)	R
O	ADDRESS FORMAT CODE (MOTHER)
O	PATIENT USUAL ADDRESS (MOTHER)
M	POSTCODE OF USUAL ADDRESS	R
M	HA OF RESIDENCES	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
(HCA) Birth Occurrence Location - Delivery Place Actual: To carry the type of place where delivery actually occurred. One occurrence of this Group within each Birth Group is permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS
M	DELIVERY PLACE TYPE (ACTUAL)	R
(HCA) Healthcare Resource Group Activity - Activity Characteristics: To carry the details of the Healthcare Resource Group and will be mandatory from 01/10/2001. Each CDS may contain only a single occurrence of this Group.
M	HEALTHCARE RESOURCE GROUP CODE
M	HEALTHCARE RESOURCE GROUP CODE-VERSION NUMBER
(HCA) Healthcare Resource Group Activity - Clinical Activity Group: To carry the details of the HRG Dominant Grouping Variable - Procedure. Note that this will not apply when no operation was carried out. In this case, the segment referring to HRG Dominant Grouping Variable - Procedure should be omitted. Only one Procedure either OPCS or READ may be specified
O	PROCEDURE SCHEME IN USES
O	HRG DOMINANT GROUPING VARIABLE-PROCEDURE

ADMITTED PATIENT CARE CDS TYPE - DELIVERY EPISODE

COMMISSIONING DATA SET (CDS)

ADMITTED PATIENT CARE CDS TYPE - DELIVERY EPISODE

The Admitted Patient Care Delivery Episode Commissioning Data Set Type carries the data for a finished or unfinished General Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Delivery Episode. The column headed Opt (Optionality) shows whether the Data item is Mandatory M or Optional O. The column headed U/A (Unfinished Episode / Annual Census) indicates whether the Data Item is required to be recorded on an unfinished Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Delivery Episode record and on an End of Year Census record. An R in the U/A column idicates that it is required to be present, a blank indicates that it is not required to be present.
Opt	CDS Data Item	U/A
Person Group (Patient): To carry the personal details of the Patient. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE (LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
M	NHS NUMBER	R
M	BIRTH DATE	R
O	CARER SUPPORT INDICATORS	R
M	LEGAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION CODE (ON ADMISSION) (psychiatric patients only)	R
M	ETHNIC CATEGORY	R
M	MARITAL STATUS (psychiatric patients only)	R
M	NHS NUMBER STATUS INDICATOR	R
M	SEX	R
M	PREGNANCY TOTAL PREVIOUS PREGNANCIES
O	NAME FORMAT CODE	R
O	PATIENT NAME	R
O	ADDRESS FORMAT CODE
O	PATIENT USUAL ADDRESS	R
M	POSTCODE OF USUAL ADDRESS	R
M	HA OF RESIDENCE	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE	R

Note: For reasons of confidentiality, the patient's preferred name and address (not including POSTCODE OF USUAL ADDRESS) must not be carried where a valid NHS Number is present.

(HCA) Hospital Provider Spell - Activity Characteristics: To carry the details of the Spell containing the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL NUMBERS	R
M	ADMINISTRATIVE CATEGORY (on admission)	R
M	PATIENT CLASSIFICATIONS	R
M	ADMISSION METHOD (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
M	DISCHARGE DESTINATIONS (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)
M	DISCHARGE METHODS (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)
M	SOURCE OF ADMISSION (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
M	START DATES (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
M	DISCHARGE DATES (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Activity Characteristics: To carry the details of the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode undergone by the Patient. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	EPISODE NUMBER	R
M	LAST EPISODE IN SPELL INDICATORS	R
M	OPERATION STATUS (per episode)	R
M	PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT STATUS	R
M	NUMBER OF AUGMENTED CARE PERIODS WITHIN EPISODES	R
M	START DATES (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)	R
M	START DATES (EPISODE)	R
M	END DATES (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)
M	END DATES (EPISODE)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Service Agreement Details: To carry the details of the Service Agreement for the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode.
M	COMMISSIONING SERIAL NUMBERS	R
O	NHS SERVICE AGREEMENT LINE NUMBERS	R
O	PROVIDER REFERENCE NUMBER
M	COMMISSIONER REFERENCE NUMBERS	R
M	ORGANISATION CODES (CODE OF PROVIDER)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
M	ORGANISATION CODES (CODE OF COMMISSIONER)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Person Group (Consultant): To carry the details of the responsible Consultant, Midwife or Nurse. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	CONSULTANT CODE	R
M	SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES	R
M	CONSULTANT SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES	R
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Information Group (ICD): To carry the details of the ICD Diagnosis Scheme and the Diagnoses. Up to 13 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
M	DIAGNOSIS SCHEME IN USE
M	PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS (ICD)
M	SECONDARY DIAGNOSIS (ICD) (1st to 12th, there may be up to 12 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Information Group (READ): To carry the details of the READ Diagnosis Scheme and the Diagnoses. Up to 13 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
O	DIAGNOSIS SCHEME IN USE
O	PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS (READ)
O	SECONDARY DIAGNOSIS (READ) (1st to 12th, there may be up to 12 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Activity Group (OPCS): To carry the details of the OPCS coded Clinical Activities undertaken. Up to 12 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
M	PROCEDURE SCHEME IN USE
M	PRIMARY PROCEDURE (OPCS)
M	PROCEDURE DATES
M	PROCEDURE (OPCS) (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
M	PROCEDURE DATE (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Activity Group (READ): To carry the details of the READ coded Clinical Activities undertaken. Up to 12 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
O	PROCEDURE SCHEME IN USE
O	PRIMARY PROCEDURE (READ)
O	PROCEDURE DATE
O	PROCEDURE (READ) (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
O	PROCEDURE DATE (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Location Group - Start of Episode: To carry the details of the location at the start of the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode. One occurrence of this Group is permitted. Up to 99 occurrences of Location Groups (in total - all types) are permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS	R
M	SITE CODE (OF TREATMENT) (at start of episode)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE	R
O	INTENDED CLINICAL CARE INTENSITY	R
O	AGE GROUP INTENDED	R
O	SEX OF PATIENTS	R
O	WARD DAY PERIOD AVAILABILITY	R
O	WARD NIGHT PERIOD AVAILABILITY	R
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Location Group - Ward Stay: To carry the details of one or more Ward Stays. Up to 99 occurrences of Location Groups (in total - all types) are permitted.
O	LOCATION CLASS
O	SITE CODE (OF TREATMENT)
O	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
O	INTENDED CLINICAL CARE INTENSITY
O	AGE GROUP INTENDED
O	SEX OF PATIENTS
O	WARD DAY PERIOD AVAILABILITY
O	WARD NIGHT PERIOD AVAILABILITY
O	START DATE (at start of stay)
O	END DATE (at end of stay)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Location Group - End of Episode: To carry the details of the location at the end of the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode. One occurrence of this Group is permitted. Up to 99 occurrences of Location Groups (in total - all types) are permitted.
O	LOCATION CLASS
O	SITE CODE (OF TREATMENT) (at end of episode)
O	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
O	INTENDED CLINICAL CARE INTENSITY
O	AGE GROUP INTENDED
O	SEX OF PATIENTS
O	WARD DAY PERIOD AVAILABILITY
O	WARD NIGHT PERIOD AVAILABILITY
(HCA) Augmented Care Period: To carry the details of the Augmented Care undergone by the Patient. Up to the 9 most recent Augmented Care Periods that occur during a Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode may be included.
M	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD NUMBERS	R
O	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD LOCAL IDENTIFIER	R
M	START DATE (AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD)	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD SOURCE	R
M	INTENSIVE CARE LEVEL DAYS	R
M	HIGH DEPENDENCY CARE LEVEL DAYS	R
M	NUMBER OF ORGAN SYSTEMS SUPPORTED for intensive care level only)	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE PLANNED INDICATOR	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE OUTCOME INDICATOR
M	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD DISPOSAL
M	END DATE (AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD)
M	SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES (AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD)	R
M	LOCATION CLASS	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE LOCATION	R
(HCA) GP Registration: To carry the details of the Patient's Registered GMP. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	GMP (CODE OF REGISTERED OR REFERRING GMP)	R
O	CODE OF GP PRACTICE (REGISTERED GMP)	R
O	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
(HCA) Referral: To carry the details of the referrer. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	REFERRER CODE	R
M	REFERRING ORGANISATION CODE	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
(HCA) Pregnancy Activity Characteristics: To carry the number of babies resulting from this pregnancy. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	NUMBER OF BABIES	R
(HCA) Antenatal Care Activity Characteristics: To carry details of the start of the antenatal care. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	FIRST ANTENATAL ASSESSMENT DATE	R
(HCA) Antenatal Care Person Group (Responsible Clinician): To carry details of the responsible clinician. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	GMP (CODE OF GMP RESPONSIBLE FOR ANTENATAL CARE)	R
O	CODE OF GP PRACTICE (REGISTERED GMP - ANTENATAL CARE)
O	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
(HCA) Antenatal Care Location Group (Delivery Place Intended): To carry details of the intended delivery place. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS	R
M	DELIVERY PLACE CHANGE REASON	R
M	DELIVERY PLACE TYPE (INTENDED)	R
(HCA) Hospital Labour/Delivery Activity Characteristics: To carry details of the Labour/Delivery. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	ANAESTHETIC GIVEN DURING LABOUR OR DELIVERY	R
M	ANAESTHETIC GIVEN POST LABOUR OR DELIVERY	R
O	GESTATION LENGTH (LABOUR ONSET)	R
M	LABOUR OR DELIVERY ONSET METHOD	R
M	DELIVERY DATE	R
(HCA) Birth Occurrence Activity Characteristics: To carry details of the birth occurrence(s). Up to nine occurrences of the Birth Group are permitted.
M	BIRTH ORDER	R
M	DELIVERY METHOD	R
M	GESTATION LENGTH (ASSESSMENT)	R
M	RESUSCITATION METHOD	R
M	STATUS OF PERSON CONDUCTING DELIVERY	R
(HCA) Birth Occurrence Person Group (Baby): To carry the personal details of the birth occurrence(s). One occurrence of this Group within each Birth Group is permitted.
O	LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER (BABY)	R
O	ORGANISATION CODE (LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER (BABY))	R
O	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE (BABY)
O	NHS NUMBER (BABY)	R
O	NHS NUMBER STATUS INDICATOR (BABY)	R
M	BIRTH DATE (BABY)	R
M	BIRTH WEIGHT	R
M	LIVE OR STILL BIRTH	R
M	SEX (BABY)	R
(HCA) Birth Occurrence Location - Delivery Place Actual: To carry the type of place where delivery actually occurred. One occurrence of this Group within each Birth Group is permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS	R
M	DELIVERY PLACE TYPE (ACTUAL)	R
(HCA) Healthcare Resource Group Activity - Activity Characteristics: To carry the details of the Healthcare Resource Group and will be mandatory from 01/10/2001. Each CDS may contain only a single occurrence of this Group.
M	HEALTHCARE RESOURCE GROUP CODE
M	HEALTHCARE RESOURCE GROUP CODE-VERSION NUMBER
(HCA) Healthcare Resource Group Activity - Clinical Activity Group: To carry the details of the HRG Dominant Grouping Variable - Procedure. Note that this will not apply when no operation was carried out. In this case, the segment referring to HRG Dominant Grouping Variable - Procedure should be omitted. Only one Procedure either OPCS or READ may be specified
O	PROCEDURE SCHEME IN USE
O	HRG DOMINANT GROUPING VARIABLE-PROCEDURE

ADMITTED PATIENT CARE CDS TYPE - GENERAL EPISODE

COMMISSIONING DATA SET (CDS)

ADMITTED PATIENT CARE CDS TYPE - GENERAL EPISODE

The Admitted Patient Care General Episode Commissioning Data Set Type carries the data for a finished or unfinished General Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode. The column headed Opt (Optionality) shows whether the Data item is Mandatory M or Optional O. The column headed U/A (Unfinished Episode / Annual Census) indicates whether the Data Item is required to be recorded on an unfinished Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode record and on an End of Year Census record. An R in the U/A column idicates that it is required to be present, a blank indicates that it is not required to be present.
Opt	CDS Data Item	U/A
Person Group (Patient): To carry the personal details of the Patient. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE (LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE	R
M	NHS NUMBER	R
M	BIRTH DATE	R
O	CARER SUPPORT INDICATOR	R
M	LEGAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION CODE (ON ADMISSION) (psychiatric patients only)	R
M	ETHNIC CATEGORY	R
M	MARITAL STATUS (psychiatric patients only)	R
M	NHS NUMBER STATUS INDICATOR	R
M	SEX	R
O	NAME FORMAT CODE	R
O	PATIENT NAME	R
O	ADDRESS FORMAT CODE
O	PATIENT USUAL ADDRESS	R
M	POSTCODE OF USUAL ADDRESS	R
M	HA OF RESIDENCE	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE	R

Note: For reasons of confidentiality, the patient's preferred name and address (not including POSTCODE OF USUAL ADDRESS) must not be carried where a valid NHS Number is present.

(HCA) Hospital Provider Spell - Activity Characteristics: To carry the details of the Spell containing the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL NUMBER	R
M	ADMINISTRATIVE CATEGORY (on admission)	R
M	PATIENT CLASSIFICATION	R
M	ADMISSION METHOD (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
M	DISCHARGE DESTINATIONS (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)
M	DISCHARGE METHOD (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)
M	SOURCE OF ADMISSION (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
M	START DATE (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
M	DISCHARGE DATE (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Activity Characteristics: To carry the details of the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode undergone by the Patient. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	EPISODE NUMBER	R
M	FIRST REGULAR DAY OR NIGHT ADMISSION	R
M	LAST EPISODE IN SPELL INDICATOR	R
M	NEONATAL LEVEL OF CARE	R
M	OPERATION STATUS (per episode)	R
M	PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT STATUS	R
M	NUMBER OF AUGMENTED CARE PERIODS WITHIN EPISODE	R
M	START DATE (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)	R
M	START DATE (EPISODE)	R
M	END DATE (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)
M	END DATE (EPISODE)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Service Agreement Details: To carry the details of the Service Agreement for the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode.
M	COMMISSIONING SERIAL NUMBER	R
O	NHS SERVICE AGREEMENT LINE NUMBER	R
O	PROVIDER REFERENCE NUMBER
M	COMMISSIONER REFERENCE NUMBER	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE (CODE OF PROVIDER)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
M	ORGANISATION CODE (CODE OF COMMISSIONER)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Person Group (Consultant): To carry the details of the responsible Consultant, Midwife or Nurse. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	CONSULTANT CODE	R
M	SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODE	R
M	CONSULTANT SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODE	R
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Information Group (ICD): To carry the details of the ICD Diagnosis Scheme and the Diagnoses. Up to 13 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
M	DIAGNOSIS SCHEME IN USE
M	PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS (ICD)
M	SECONDARY DIAGNOSIS (ICD) (1st to 12th, there may be up to 12 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Information Group (READ): To carry the details of the READ Diagnosis Scheme and the Diagnoses. Up to 13 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
O	DIAGNOSIS SCHEME IN USE
O	PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS (READ)
O	SECONDARY DIAGNOSIS (READ) (1st to 12th, there may be up to 12 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Activity Group (OPCS): To carry the details of the OPCS coded Clinical Activities undertaken. Up to 12 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
M	PROCEDURE SCHEME IN USE
M	PRIMARY PROCEDURE (OPCS)
M	PROCEDURE DATE
M	PROCEDURE (OPCS) (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
M	PROCEDURE DATE (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Clinical Activity Group (READ): To carry the details of the READ coded Clinical Activities undertaken. Up to 12 occurrences of this Group are permitted.
O	PROCEDURE SCHEME IN USE
O	PRIMARY PROCEDURE (READ)
O	PROCEDURE DATE
O	PROCEDURE (READ) (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
O	PROCEDURE DATE (2nd to 12th, there may be up to 11 repetitions)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Location Group - Start of Episode: To carry the details of the location at the start of the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode. One occurrence of this Group is permitted. Up to 99 occurrences of Location Groups (in total - all types) are permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS	R
M	SITE CODE (OF TREATMENT) (at start of episode)	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE	R
O	INTENDED CLINICAL CARE INTENSITY	R
O	AGE GROUP INTENDED	R
O	SEX OF PATIENTS	R
O	WARD DAY PERIOD AVAILABILITY	R
O	WARD NIGHT PERIOD AVAILABILITY	R
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Location Group - Ward Stay: To carry the details of one or more Ward Stays. Up to 99 occurrences of Location Groups (in total - all types) are permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS
M	SITE CODE (OF TREATMENT)
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
O	INTENDED CLINICAL CARE INTENSITY
O	AGE GROUP INTENDED
O	SEX OF PATIENTS
O	WARD DAY PERIOD AVAILABILITY
O	WARD NIGHT PERIOD AVAILABILITY
O	START DATE (at start of stay)
O	END DATE (at end of stay)
(HCA) Consultant Episode - Location Group - End of Episode: To carry the details of the location at the end of the Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode. One occurrence of this Group is permitted. Up to 99 occurrences of Location Groups (in total - all types) are permitted.
M	LOCATION CLASS
M	SITE CODE (OF TREATMENT) (at end of episode)
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE
O	INTENDED CLINICAL CARE INTENSITY
O	AGE GROUP INTENDED
O	SEX OF PATIENTS
O	WARD DAY PERIOD AVAILABILITY
O	WARD NIGHT PERIOD AVAILABILITY
(HCA) Augmented Care Period: To carry the details of the Augmented Care undergone by the Patient. Up to the 9 most recent Augmented Care Periods that occur during a Consultant/ Midwife/ Nurse Episode may be included.
M	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD NUMBER	R
O	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD LOCAL IDENTIFIER	R
M	START DATE (AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD)	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD SOURCE	R
M	INTENSIVE CARE LEVEL DAYS	R
M	HIGH DEPENDENCY CARE LEVEL DAYS	R
M	NUMBER OF ORGAN SYSTEMS SUPPORTED for intensive care level only)	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE PLANNED INDICATOR	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE OUTCOME INDICATOR
M	AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD DISPOSAL
M	END DATE (AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD)
M	SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES (AUGMENTED CARE PERIOD)	R
M	LOCATION CLASS	R
M	AUGMENTED CARE LOCATIONS	R
(HCA) GP Registration: To carry the details of the Patient's Registered GMP. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	GMP (CODE OF REGISTERED OR REFERRING GMP)	R
O	CODE OF GP PRACTICE (REGISTERED GMP)	R
O	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE	R
(HCA) Referral: To carry the details of the referrer. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	REFERRER CODES	R
M	REFERRING ORGANISATION CODES	R
M	ORGANISATION CODE TYPE	R
(HCA) Elective Admission List Entry: To carry the details of the Elective Admission List Entry. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	DURATION OF ELECTIVE WAITS	R
M	INTENDED MANAGEMENTS	R
M	DECIDED TO ADMIT DATES (for this provider)	R
(HCA) Healthcare Resource Group Activity - Activity Characteristics: To carry the details of the Healthcare Resource Group. This is mandatory from 01/10/2001. One occurrence of this Group is permitted.
M	HEALTHCARE RESOURCE GROUP CODE
M	HEALTHCARE RESOURCE GROUP CODE-VERSION NUMBER
(HCA) Healthcare Resource Group Activity - Clinical Activity Group: To carry the details of the HRG Dominant Grouping Variable - Procedure. Note that this will not apply when no operation was carried out. In this case, the segment referring to HRG Dominant Grouping Variable - Procedure should be omitted. Only one Procedure either OPCS or READ may be specified
O	PROCEDURE SCHEME IN USE
O	HRG DOMINANT GROUPING VARIABLE-PROCEDURE

HES GENERAL EPISODE RECORD

HOSPITAL EPISODE STATISTICS (HES)

HES GENERAL EPISODE RECORD

The HES General Episode covers all NHS and private Admitted Patient Care (day case and inpatient) activity taking place in any acute, community, psychiatric NHS Trust or Primary Care Trust or other NHS hospital under the care of a consultant, midwife or nurse. Additionally, NHS funded Admitted Patient Care taking place in non-NHS hospitals and institutions is required for HES. The table below lists the HES data items for the General Episode and indicates whether the data items should be included in the Unfinished Episode and Annual Census. This inclusion and indication are given in the column headed U/A (Unfinished Episode / Annual Census). An R in the U/A column idicates that it is required to be present, a blank indicates that it is not required to be present. An Unfinished General Episode record is required for all unfinished general episodes at midnight on 31 March. Unfinished General Episode records are also required for short-stay informal psychiatric patients who are resident in hopsital or on leave of absence (home leave) on 31 March and who have been in hospital for less than 12 months.
Field	HES Data Item	U/A
General Details
1	RECORD TYPE	R
2	ORGANISATION CODES (CODE OF PROVIDER)	R
3	ORGANISATION CODES (CODE OF COMMISSIONER)	R
4	SEX	R
5	MARITAL STATUS (psychiatric patients only)	R
6	POSTCODE OF USUAL ADDRESS	R
7	BIRTH DATES	R
8	ETHNIC CATEGORIES	R
Note: ETHNIC CATEGORY is not required for Birth and Other Birth Event Records
9	START DATES (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
10	ADMISSION METHOD (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
11	SOURCE OF ADMISSION (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
12	DECIDED TO ADMIT DATES	R
13	CATEGORY OF PATIENTS	R
14	DURATION OF ELECTIVE WAITS	R
15	START DATES (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)	R
15	START DATES (EPISODE)	R
16	AGE AT START OF EPISODE
Note: AGE AT START OF EPISODE is not required but is retained in the data set to allow the position of other fields to remain unaltered
17	SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES	R
18	CONSULTANT SPECIALTY FUNCTION CODES	R
Patient Diagnosis
19	PRIMARY (ICD-10)
20	SUBSIDIARY (ICD-10)
Note: SUBSIDIARY (ICD-10) is not required but is retained in the data set to allow the position of other fields to remain unaltered
21	FIRST SECONDARY (ICD-10)
22	SECOND SECONDARY (ICD-10)
23	THIRD SECONDARY (ICD-10)
24	FOURTH SECONDARY (ICD-10)
25	FIFTH SECONDARY (ICD-10)
Patient Operative Procedure
26	PRIMARY OPERATION (OPCS-4)
27	PRIMARY PROCEDURE DATES
28	SECOND OPERATION (OPCS-4)
29	SECOND OPERATION DATE
30	THIRD OPERATION (OPCS-4)
31	THIRD OPERATION DATE
32	FOURTH OPERATION (OPCS-4)
33	FOURTH OPERATION DATE
Patient Discharge
34	EPISODE NUMBERS	R
35	DURATION OF EPISODE
Note: DURATION OF EPISODE is not required but is retained in the data set to allow the position of other fields to remain unaltered
36	END DATES (CONSULTANT OR MIDWIFE EPISODE)
36	END DATES (EPISODE)
37	DISCHARGE DATES (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)
38	DISCHARGE METHODS (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
39	DISCHARGE DESTINATIONS (HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL)	R
40	PATIENT CLASSIFICATIONS	R
41	NEONATAL LEVEL OF CARE	R
42	PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT STATUS	R
43	LAST EPISODE IN SPELL INDICATORS	R
44	ADMINISTRATIVE CATEGORY (on admission)	R
45	LEGAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION CODE (ON ADMISSION)	R
Note: Approval was granted for collection of LEGAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION CODE for years 1998/1999, 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002.
46	REFERRER CODES	R
47	INTENDED MANAGEMENTS	R
48	HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL NUMBERS	R
49	WARD TYPE AT START OF EPISODE	R
50	CARER SUPPORT INDICATORS	R
51	NHS NUMBER	R
52	LOCAL PATIENT IDENTIFIER	R
53	CONSULTANT CODES	R
54	GMP (CODE OF REGISTERED OR REFERRING GMP)	R
55	CODE OF GP PRACTICE (REGISTERED GMP)	R
56	SITE CODE (OF TREATMENT) (at start of episode)	R
57	HA OF RESIDENCE
58	DETENTION CATEGORY
59	HEALTHCARE RESOURCE GROUP CODE	R
60	HEALTHCARE RESOURCE GROUP CODE-VERSION NUMBER	R

HOSPITAL EPISODE STATISTICS

HOSPITAL EPISODE STATISTICS (HES)

HOSPITAL EPISODE STATISTICS (HES)

Introduction

The data for the Department of Health Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database are extracted from the CDS at the NHS-wide Clearing Service (NWCS).

This section which covers the HES extract is included for information and so that personnel can check, if they wish, that HES requirements are being met.

HES and what they are used for

The Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) required by the DH cover every finished consultant episode and midwife episode in England (excluding regular day and night admissions) within the financial year, from 1 April to 31 March. The Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) required by the DH cover every finished consultant episode, midwife episode and nurse episode in England (excluding regular day and night admissions) within the financial year, from 1 April to 31 March. Finished episodes must contain all the relevant clinical data. They also include an Annual Census of episodes unfinished at midnight on 31 March, and the Psychiatric Census, a subset of the Annual Census, which contains additional data items. The database represents an invaluable national source of information about patterns of treatment in hospitals throughout England as well as providing epidemiological data about diseases and operative procedures.

HES data are published annually and are also used to feed into other published statistics including the Compendium of Clinical and Health Indicators (formerly the Public Health Common Data Set) and the Performance Indicators. Within the DH, the main uses of the data include policy development, resource allocation, performance management, accountability to public and parliament and monitoring of health and healthcare variations. In addition, HES data are widely used by clinical and other researchers, both within and outside the DH. There is pressure to increase both the timeliness and completness of the HES data set.

Further information can be obtained from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) website: http://www.doh.gov.uk/hes/.

How HES data are processed

Data records must be lodged with the NHS-wide Clearing Service contractors McKesson HBOC, not later than the last Friday of the month after the end of the data quarter (i.e. finished consultant episodes for 1 April-30 June by 27 July 2001) for their inclusion in the quarterly HES extract.

An annual refresh of the data is taken approximately 9 weeks after the end of the data year (1 June 2001) when all the quarterly data is replaced. By the time the annual refresh of HES data is taken, all finished episodes are expected to include all relevant clinical data. Unfinished and psychiatric episodes for the data year are taken at the same time.

Before being incorporated into the main HES database, all data are subject to a complex sequence of checks, as follows:

Verification
For finished episodes, McKesson HBOC selects episodes that contain an end date within the data year. To be accepted for HES, a record must contain an appropriate Hospital Provider Code relating to that data year. A record which fails this check will be rejected.

Manual Cleaning (Annual Data Only)
Under exceptional circumstances, the processing of the annual data can be halted to make manual changes to the data. This is carried out on a Trust specific basis and requires the agreement of the Trust(s) concerned, the HES section and usually the relevant Regional Office. Manual cleaning is extremely resource and time intensive and is only undertaken when there would otherwise be a significant impact on the integrity of the data set.

Autocleaning
Various fields within the record are analysed to see whether the entries make sense on their own, and with reference to related fields. In some cases it is possible to overwrite incorrect entries by deriving the data from other fields within the record. If this cannot be done, the incorrect entry may be overwritten with the accepted code for `not known/not applicable'.

Validation
This process tests the contents of individual records against a set of rules to identify errors after autocleaning which cannot be corrected. Records containing such anomalies are not excluded from the HES database, but the validation process generates a report which is useful in analysing data quality.

Further information

If you want to find out more on HES processing, the HES department at the DH publish a number of documents including 'An Introduction to HES' and 'How HES Data is Processed', the latter includes detail concerning autocleaning and validation routines outlined above. These can be obtained from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) website: http://www.doh.gov.uk/hes/.

The HES team can be contacted at:

Department of Health HES Service
Skipton House - Room 430B
80, London Road
London
SE1 6LH

Tel: 020 7972 5529
Fax: 020 7972 5662

The HES Records

In addition to the above, there are Integrity records which check the validity of the data. The data items in Integrity records are not shown.

Please address enquiries about this DSCN to:-
Data Standards Team
NHS Information Authority
Aqueous II
Aston Cross
Rocky Lane
Birmingham
B6 5RQ

Tel: 0121 333 0333