NHS Information Authority
Data & Information Standards Programme
Reference: | Change Request 406 |
Version No: | 1.10 |
Subject: | ETHNIC CATEGORY default code |
Type of Change: | Revision of NHS Data Standards |
Effective Date: | Immediate |
Reason for Change: | The Class ETHNIC CATEGORY contains a National Code of 'Z not stated', and the existence of this code requires a change to a Default Code in the Data Element: ETHNIC CATEGORY. |
Background:
The default code '9 - not given' within the Data Element ETHNIC CATEGORY, was a legacy of the previous Office of National Statistics (ONS) Ethnic Category codes, which did not have a 'not stated' code. Hence some Trusts had historical entries of '9' meaning 'not stated' which they did not want to lose.
It was agreed that the national code of 'Z - not stated' meant that the person had been asked and had declined either because of refusal or genuine inability to choose. 'Not known' should be used where the patient had not been asked or the patient was not in a condition to be asked, eg unconscious.
It was suggested that as ETHNIC CATEGORY was a two character code (an2) the default code should be changed to 99 - not known and the existing '9 - not given' should be withdrawn.
Summary of changes:
Class Definitions | |
ETHNIC CATEGORY | Change to Description |
Data Elements | |
ETHNIC CATEGORY | Change to Description |
Date: | 22 July 2004 |
Sponsor: | Data Definition Group (DDG) |
Note: Additions shown in highlighted with a blue background. Deletions are shown using strikeout. Within the Diagrams deleted classes and relationships are shown as red in colour, blue is used for changed items and green is used for created items.
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Change to Class: Change to Description
A type of CHARACTERISTIC.
The ethnicity of a PERSON, as specified by the PERSON.
Note: ETHNIC CATEGORIES is the classification used for the 2001 census, replacing ETHNIC GROUP in the flows through the NHS-wide Clearing Service. The Office of National Statistics has developed a further breakdown of the group from that given, which may be used locally. The reference is given below.
National Codes:
White | |
A | British |
B | Irish |
C | Any other White background |
Mixed | |
D | White and Black Caribbean |
E | White and Black African |
F | White and Asian |
G | Any other mixed background |
Asian or Asian British | |
H | Indian |
J | Pakistani |
K | Bangladeshi |
L | Any other Asian background |
Black or Black British | |
M | Caribbean |
N | African |
P | Any other Black background |
Other Ethnic Groups | |
R | Chinese |
S | Any other ethnic group |
Z | Not stated |
This class is also known by these names:
Context | Alias |
---|---|
plural | ETHNIC CATEGORIES |
Change to Data Element: Change to Description
Format/length: | an2 |
HES item: | ETHNOS |
National Codes: | Press Definition button for the National Codes |
Default Codes: | 99 - Not known |
Notes:
The 16+1 new ethnic data categories defined in the 2001 census will become the national mandatory standard for the collection of ethnicity. From 1/4/2001, they must be used for the collection of all statistical data sets in England, NHS and PSS, including the Admitted Patient Care CDS and Hospital Episode Statistics. (See DSCN 21/2000 and DSCN 02/2001).
The new national code must be entered as the first character in the 2 character field. The second character is an optional field only required for use locally. It must, however, be able to be grouped consistently with the 16 main categories.
The information recorded about ETHNIC CATEGORIES must be obtained by asking the PATIENT.
All provider units must collect and record data on the ETHNIC CATEGORIES of PATIENTS for inclusion in the Admitted Patient Care CDS; it will also be extracted for HES. Note that the mandatory requirement to collect and record the ETHNIC CATEGORIES of admitted patients does not extend to newborn babies (i.e. birth episodes) but providers and commissioners may decide locally to collect this data. ETHNIC CATEGORIES - newborn - is not extracted and passed back to HES.
See also ETHNIC GROUP.
This data element is also known by these names:
Context | Alias |
---|---|
plural | ETHNIC CATEGORIES |