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  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

Initial timescales outlined in the plan require ISD to work collaboratively with 4 NHS Boards, and one Special Board, during the 2009/10 period where the above 6 steps will be explored further.   Subsequently, and in conjunction with each NHS Board, a site visit summary report with required actions will be created by ISD.   It is envisaged that these lower level reports will feed into and inform the overarching data quality plan as attached. This work is currently underway and during the first quarter of 2010, ISD will be in contact with the remaining NHS Boards to organise site visits and agree how best to take forward the Data Quality 6 Steps plan.

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.

NHS Boards have been supportive of this programme of work, and continue to work with ISD to explore the 6 steps.   The outcomes of this project will hopefully ensure that more robust and accurate information on the NHSScotland Workforce is captured and reported on to support the national workforce planning cycle.  However it is widely accepted that it will take several years to implement this programme.

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.