Coherence is the degree to which data which have been derived from different sources or methods but refer to the same topic are similar. Comparability is the degree to which data can be compared over time and domain.
NBSR data
BOMSS also collect and publish annual data on bariatric surgery through the National Bariatric Surgery Registry (NBSR) which allows surgeons to voluntarily submit data. The key objective of the registry is to accumulate sufficient data to allow the publication of a comprehensive report on outcomes following bariatric surgery. The latest NBSR report was published in 2020 at https://www.e-dendrite.com/NBSR2020
There are some differences in the data collected by NBSR and HES. The data is collected for different primary purposes with NBSR collecting much broader data, different coding/terms are used for procedures, NBSR includes all adult NHS and private procedures, and not all hospitals submit complete data to NBSR. However, the data are relatively coherent, with large provider differences highlighted on the NBSR website. Full details of NBSR and their reports are on the Bariatric Surgeon Reporting Website (e-dendrite.com)
NHS Digital and NHS England continue to work together with BOMSS to ensure both NBSR and HES provide reliable data which support improvements in quality of care.
Data in the Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet publication
NHS Digital has historically published data on admissions and number of finished consultant episodes for bariatric surgical procedures in the National Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet (SOPAD) which uses a different methodology, as explained in their Technical notes. SOPAD counts the number of procedures and admissions for bariatric surgery, groups reporting on primary and revision procedures, excludes gastric balloons and bubbles procedures and uses a wider range of different procedure codes. Therefore the SOPAD figures are higher than the counts of people provided in this release. SOPAD have recently been through a consultation, accessible here: Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet - NHS Digital which didn’t include a revised methodology for these estimates. Therefore, as this dashboard and statistics develop, we will consider in liaison with stakeholders and users, whether these statistics continue to be published separately from SOPAD or realign back into SOPAD with the revised methodology, as part of a new combined compendia publication following the consultation.
Obesity related hospital admissions
Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage, and changes in NHS practice.
Improved use of secondary procedure codes
There is continuing evidence that recording of secondary procedure codes is improving over time, which result in a increase in the number of people identified as having a bariatric procedure.