Analysis

Once the data is collected from GP system suppliers (GPSS), validation on the file structure and contents is carried out before files are accepted by NHS England’s GP Data Collector system. The data is then processed by the Data Management Service (DMS) to create a data asset. The processing involves loading the files from GPSS into a secure database and linking to corporate reference data to provide additional demographic information. This process also removes any Personal Identifiable Data (PID) from the data asset.

Data quality is checked against the standard six data quality characteristics, which are coverage, completeness, validity, default, integrity and timeliness, as per the requirements of NHS England.

Many of the SNOMED CT codes used to specify the data items listed are also used in the Quality and Outcomes and Framework (QOF) and other payment extractions and therefore the data quality of these codes is expected to be high. For other SNOMED CT codes that are not used in payment extractions, the data quality may not be as high. Analysis conducted by NHS England determines this.

Other non-coded information is validated against standard NHS England protocols. For example, patient NHS Number is validated against the Modulus 11 algorith and GP practice code validated against reference data held by NHS England.

Data obtained under these Directions may be analysed under the NHS England De-Identified Data Analytics and Publication Directions 2023 (Data Analytics Direction). 

Any analysis under the Data Analytics Direction will be subject to the conditions set out in Paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3 of those Directions and having regard to the statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 274A of the 2012 Act including, so far as is applicable under that guidance, obtaining advice from the NHS England Advisory Group for Data.  Read the statutory guidance. 

As described above, data collected under these Directions is linked to corporate reference data to provide additional demographic information.

In addition, it is also anticipated that PHSMI data will be linked with the Mental Health Services Data Set (MHSDS), Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data and Mortality data in order to track the monitoring and evaluation of national programme delivery across the life course and care pathway, and to determine the impact on outcomes and health inequalities.

Data collected under these Directions may also be linked to other data sets held by NHS England to meet the purpose of the Directions and to provide richer information, enhance existing publications, develop new publications, and to respond to requests from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Linkage will only occur where approved in accordance with information governance procedures and controls, including where required, advice from the Advisory Group for Data.

Where there is a proposal to link data obtained under the Directions with other data that NHS England has obtained, this Specification will be reviewed in line with the change control process to ensure the linkage is aligned with the Directions.

More information about the data sets and collections that NHS England holds and that may be used for linkage can be found on the NHS Digital data collections and data sets webpage.