Data Quality
In January 2008 the Information Services Division (ISD), for the first time, published NHSScotland Workforce information to reflect the introduction of Agenda for Change. At the time it was widely accepted that NHSScotland was in a transition, both in terms of a new pay structure and new information systems to collect and report workforce information. As a result it was recognised that the presentation of information describing the workforce would evolve over time.
The published data, as found within the ISD website, presents information by AfC job families and sub job families. It is however recognised that the published information does not always reflect the data used at Board and Regional level when planning and presenting the workforce. As with all data systems, accuracy of coding is crucial to the quality and credibility of the data and NHS Boards have been encouraged to ensure that there are measures in place to confirm and sustain data quality.
However it is acknowledged that quality issues remain, particularly around the assimilation to AfC, where NHS Boards believe that the published data (staff in post) does not truly reflect what they hold on their local systems. In an attempt to address these on-going data quality issues, ISD has been working in conjunction with the ISD Workforce Reference Group, and ISD Workforce Statistics Steering Group, to establish a Workforce Statistics - Staff in Post Data Quality project plan.
This project team have developed a Data Quality 6 Steps plan 
[306K] aimed to not only address data quality issues, but also explore historical practices and cultural issues. The plan has therefore been divided into the following work streams;
Step 1 - Staff in Post - Data Quality
Step 2 - Data Flows
Step 3 - Training and Awareness
Step 4 - Best Practice
Step 5 - Key Workforce Planning Variables
Step 6 - Wider Integration
Since the introduction of this data quality 6 steps plan, ISD have worked collaboratively with all 14 NHS Boards, and 5 of the 8 special Boards to further explore data quality issues. Whilst this remains an on-going process, to date this plan has ensured that more robust and accurate information on the NHSScotland Workforce is captured and reported.
The aims and objectives of the project have already gained support from HRDs across NHS Scotland. As this project aims to explore historical practices and cultural issues, it is acknowledged that any findings or recommendations will help to inform and feed into the proposed national HR system that is to be implemented across NHSScotland.
It is likely that over time this plan will evolve and therefore the most up to date versions will continue to be made available within these web pages.
