Supporting the work of our partners

2 Copyright © 2014 Health and Social Care Information Centre

PrescribingUse of NICE appraised medicinesWorking in partnership with NICE, and with support from the Department of Health and the pharmaceutical industry, we produce an annual publication exploring the Use of NICE appraised medicines in the NHS in England. The publication includes NICE produced estimates of predicted use compared to HSCIC data showing observed use. For the most recent edition a new variation approach was developed to show medicine use over time and by NHS organisation.

Download ‘Use of NICE appraised medicines in the NHS in England www.hscic.gov.uk/pubs/niceappmed12

Innovation ScorecardNICE also contribute to the development of a quarterly HSCIC Innovation Scorecard publication which is designed to track adoption of NICE Technical Appraisals at a local level.

Download the latest edition of the Innovation Scorecard at www.hscic.gov.uk/pubs/nicetechapprsep13

Analyses and data extractionsAs well as providing hospital prescribing data to NICE to inform their Technical Appraisal guidance reviews and other work, we also carry out a variety of analyses and data extractions. These vary in subject, scope and complexity but many are concerned with assessing current levels of disease and primary care activity. A typical request might concern estimating the prevalence of a chronic condition such as coronary heart disease and assessing the rate of statins prescribed to these patients. The data we extract to fulfil these requests contributes to the development and review of technical appraisals and the clinical guidelines published by NICE.

Supporting the work of our partners

Who we are and what we doThe Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) was created as an Executive Non Departmental Public Body (ENDPB) in April 2013.

We employ over 2,000 staff working in 19 locations across the UK and we oversee the implementation of health and care programmes and services that have a value in excess of £1bn.

Our statutory functions and duties are set out in Part 9, Chapter 2 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012–sections 252 to 275–and in Schedule 18.

Our work includes:

• setting standards that protect patients’ confidential information, reduce bureaucracy and improve data quality

• delivering essential technology systems and services that support health and care organisations

• collecting, analysing and publishing national data and statistical information that helps inform decision making

• providing services that support the life-science industry and develop the UK’s health informatics skills base

For more details on our statutory role see www.hscic.gov.uk/whoweare

Our work with NICE

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Supporting the work of our partners

Measuring clinical quality standards with assured indicatorsThe Francis Report highlighted the role indicators and other comparative statistics play in measuring performance and outcomes and it reinforced the HSCIC’s role in producing, assuring and publishing indicators.

As NICE develop guidance and associated quality standards for health and social care in England we work with them to produce technical specifications and business rules for new indicators that will measure these quality standards. We ensure that indicators are tested and assured by our Indicator Assurance Service and then published in our national library of quality assured indicators.

We produce and publish the NHS Outcomes Framework, Clinical Commissioning Group Outcomes Indicator Set (CCGOIS), Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) and Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators.

Clinical Commissioning Group Outcomes Indicator SetThe CCGOIS measures outcomes to help inform priority setting and drive local improvement. Our work supports NHS England and NICE by developing, testing and assuring the methods for each indicator. Much of the data used is drawn from our existing data sources from which we calculate the indicators and publish the data.

Download CCGOIS data on our Indicator Portal https://indicators.ic.nhs.uk or manipulate in our iView tool www.hscic.gov.uk/iview

Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework indicatorsThe ASCOF indictors focus on the services and interventions that support the social care needs of service users. Data from the indicators can be explored on our website. You can view the data by ‘local authority’ and ‘outcome measure’ in an interactive map.

Explore the Adult Social Care Outcomes data at http://ascof.hscic.gov.uk

Quality and Outcomes Framework indicatorsThese measure the achievement by GP practices against indicators for appropriate provision of care for patients with long term conditions. This data is extracted by the HSCIC from General Practice IT systems.

Search for and view individual practice results at qof.hscic.gov.uk

“We will work with NICE to

embed information standards

into their products and digital

services, so that the health and

care system can implement

NICE guidelines more easily,

and derive greater benefit.”A strategy for the Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2014

Supporting the work of our partners

Indicator Assurance ServiceThis service is used to test the methodology of all the indicators that we produce in conjunction with NICE. It also supports anyone else who is looking to develop a new national indicator by providing an open and transparent way of assuring indicator methodologies.

The service provides customers with:

• advice on how robust a proposed methodology is

• the opportunity to check for similar indicators – saving duplication of effort

• assurance that the indicator answers the question being posed and is suitable for intended audience

• recognition for your indicator, with the opportunity to register it in a national library of quality assured indicators

• periodic review of the methodology.

Find out more about the Indicator Assurance Service: www.hscic.gov.uk/services

Indicator Governance BoardRobust governance is required to ensure that the procedure for assuring indicators is followed and controlled and the Indicator Governance Board (IGB) is part of this process. Currently chaired by the HSCIC, the IGB ensures that appropriate governance is applied to all indicators going through the Indicator Assurance Service. The role of the IGB is to:

• act as the approval gateway to the national library of quality assured indicators for both new and updated indicators

• prioritise work within the assurance process

• ensure that the stakeholder consultation required to assure new indicator methodologies is reviewed by all relevant parties

• resolve any issues related to the development of indicator methodology.

Membership of the IGB includes representatives from the HSCIC, NHS Trust Development Authority, NHS England, Care Quality Commission, NICE, Department of Health, Public Health England, Health Education England and Monitor. Membership from other organisations is encouraged.

To find out more, email the Indicator Governance Board at igb@hscic.gov.uk

www.hscic.gov.ukenquiries@hscic.gov.uk @hscic

Improving wellbeing through information and technology