Data standards team

The core terminology products in the team are SNOMED CT and the dictionary of medicines and medical devices (dm+d). 

Snomed CT

SNOMED CT is a structured clinical vocabulary for use in an electronic health record. It represents care information in a clear, consistent, and comprehensive manner.

It is being implemented in primary care using a phased approach, which started in April 2018. Other systems involved in direct patient care should implement SNOMED CT before 1 April 2020.

Dictionary of medicines and medical devices (dm+d)

The dm+d provides:

• a unique SNOMED CT code for all drugs and devices
• a standard description for all drugs and devices
• additional coded information related to each device

Dm+d is used within:

• Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
• electronic prescribing and medicines administration
• pharmacy distribution
• Summary Care Records (SCR)
• eDischarge (hospitals communicating with primary care)
• GP2GP (general practitioner transfer of patients between practices)
• electronic Yellow Card Scheme (for notifications about adverse drug reactions)
• data extraction
• data reporting

It’s covered by the SCCI0052 standard and the implementation date for this standard in all NHS systems was 30 June 2017.

The clinical classifications OPCS-4 (for interventions and surgical procedures) and ICD-10 (for diagnoses) are NHS Information Standards. Both are mandated nationally for use across the NHS and consist of groupings of concepts (codes), plus definitions and business rules for their use.

Once clinical information is coded using these national classifications, it’s then used in an aggregated, non-identifiable form to enable:

• statistical and epidemiological analysis
• reimbursement of hospitals
• planning of health and care services

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service is responsible for the development, maintenance and support of NHS Information Standards, contained in the NHS Data Model and Data Dictionary. This provides a reference point for approved Information Standards Notices to support health care activities across the NHS in England.

The National Clinical Content Repository (NCCR) is a service operated by our Copyright Licensing Service team, enabling users to access certain copyrighted clinical assessment tools and outcome measures for use within health and social care. There are currently 28 available, including the ‘Brief Parental Self-efficacy Scale’.

Other tools are available directly from third-party owners, and this service signposts users towards these sources. Further details are available on the NCCR website.

The DSAS is hosted by our organisation. It supports the Data Coordination Board (DCB) and the Data Coordination Sub Board (DCSB) in providing detailed assurance and appraisal of proposals for Information Standards, Collections and Extractions (ISCE) requiring publication under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

DSAS ensures that, within the development of an ISCE:

• all obligations under the Health & Social Care Act 2012 have been met by the developer
• any burden on the system is acceptable in relation to benefits
• the assured ISCE is aligned and complies with existing published standards
• risks and impacts are considered, addressed and mitigated, within the development of the ISCE
• the ISCE can be implemented across the system
• any data required to flow across the system because of the ISCE has a legal basis, addresses any information governance requirements and ensures that fair processing has been considered

The DCSB makes the recommendation to DCB to publish, after scrutiny of DSAS assurance and appraisal of the proposal and acceptance of its recommendation.

Health and care organisations in England (including adult social care) must pay due regard to information standards published under the Health & Social Care Act 2012.

Our Defence Medical Services (DMS) team provide consultancy support to the Ministry of Defence around delivery of Armed Forces healthcare.