Format/length:	see DATE
HES item:	EPISTART
National Codes:
Default Codes:

Notes:
START DATE (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, midwife or nurse during the HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL. 

This data element is also known by these names:

Context	Alias
plural	START DATES (EPISODE)