Data quality

The DQMI is a monthly publication about data quality in the NHS, which provides data submitters with timely and transparent information.

Links to all of the DQMI publications, the associated methodology documents and the interactive report can be found below:

The DIDS data is published one month in arrears, due to its submission timelines, therefore is not available for the latest published DQMI month.

As part of continued work to expand the depth of reporting of the DQMI across datasets work has been undertaken with the Tobacco Dependence and Alcohol Dependence Programmes to add a specific dashboard to help drive data quality in these areas. This dashboard will allow providers to assess their performance. 

Access the Power BI.

This report is intended to complement the tobacco and alcohol dependence patient level dashboards on FutureNHS (registration required). 

As part of continued work to expand the depth of reporting of the DQMI across data sets, work has been undertaken with NHS England and the MHSDS analysis and collection teams to expand the DQMI by a further 22 data items following the release of the MHSDS version 5 in October 2021.

An experimental version of the DQMI, which includes the expanded list of experimental data items, is currently included within the publication.  The experimental data items do not contribute to the official DQMI score.

*Note the GENDER IDENTITY CODE is the new priority item on gender, but PERSON STATED GENDER data item has been retained to support providers transitioning to submitting gender identity code. We have provided additional guidance on collecting and submitting data for the data items on gender to support organisations and users to implement the Mental Health Services Data Set (MHSDS) v5.0.

For more detail on new data item codes, please see the MHSDS v4.1 to v5.0 mapping guidance.​

This report, undertaken by NHS England and the CSDS Analysis and Collection teams, provides further detail on the UCR and MSK data within the CSDS DQMI to help drive data quality improvements in these areas. The table below details the criteria for records and the data items reported.

The Provider Data Quality Assurance Framework is aimed at provider organisations who, in terms of data quality assurance, need to get started and those that are looking to build on their existing data quality assurance processes and practices.  

The framework covers 5 main themes:

• oversight
• process
• people
• systems
• measures

Each part of the framework also includes an Assurance Checklist to assist provider organisations to assess where they are in terms of data quality assurance and what gaps there might be that the framework can help fill.

The framework can be accessed here:

• Provider Data Quality Assurance Framework – Part 1
• Provider Data Quality Assurance Framework – Part 2  

The framework has been developed to meet the requirements of the Data Security and Protection Toolkit and to support the published technical guidance.

If you have any queries these should all be logged via NHS England’s self-service portal (preferred method) or via the National Service Desk (NSD) by calling 0300 303 3035 or by emailing [email protected]. Please include ‘Data Quality Maturity Index (DQMI) Query’ in the short description (self-service portal), as this will assist with routing your enquiry through to the correct team. If you experience any issues registering with or using the self-service portal, please call the NSD.