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Workforce Minimum Data Set (wMDS)

This page summarises the Workforce Minimum Data Set (wMDS) and its development and implementation guidance.

Page contents

The Workforce Minimum Dataset (wMDS) was established under the Workforce Information Architecture (WIA) workstream as part of a wider reform of education and training. It is a subset of the existing National Workforce Data Set (NWD) standard and supports high quality education and training commissioning. The NWD is regularly reviewed and any updates and developments are subject to agreement by the Workforce Information Review Group (WIRG) and its subgroups to ensure that with refinement the Dataset standard and the minimum data set remains suitable for the purpose of collecting workforce information from all providers of NHS funded services.

Who must provide wMDS data

The wMDS must be submitted by all providers of NHS services who do not provide workforce data via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This will apply to all GP practices and Primary Care Networks (PCNs), and many independent health care providers. The way you should provide data depends on the type of organisation. 

The detailed specification will help with completion of the returns and provides information on data formats and an explanation of which data items are required for different types of organisations.

wMDS template file specification

xlsx 81 KB

National Workforce Reporting System (NWRS)

General practices and PCNs should submit their data via the National Workforce Reporting Service (NWRS). Full details, guidance and support are available via the NWRS website. 

Extractions of GP practice data take place monthly, whilst PCN data extractions will still take place quarterly for the time being. We recommend entering changes as they occur to minimise burden and ensure records remain up to date. 

Workforce Minimum Dataset Collection Vehicle (wMDSCV)

Independent healthcare providers should submit their data via the workforce Minimum Dataset Collection Vehicle (wMDSCV) unless they already submit workforce data via the ESR. Full details, guidance and support are provided below. The collection is conducted biannually, from 1 April and 1 October each year, reflecting the position at the end of the previous month.

The Independent Healthcare Provider Workforce collection is not currently active due to the pausing of some less well used collections, products and services during the transformation of NHS England. A proposal to retire this collection was considered during the Official Statistics Consultation on healthcare releases, and we are currently involved in discovery work around the responses received.

wMDSCV data quality and essential data items

xlsx 38 KB

wMDSCV frequently asked questions

docx 82 KB

The wMDSCV is submitted by entering your information into either a single Excel or (up to) four .csv templates and uploading to the Collection Vehicle. You should not make changes to the structure of these - please enter your data against the relevant fields without changing/deleting columns or the worksheet headings.

 

wMDSCV File Structure Template v5

xlsx 12 KB

wMDSCV Staff Details csv Template v3

csv 731 bytes

wMDSCV Registrations csv Template

csv 172 bytes

wMDSCV Absence csv Template

csv 139 bytes

Archive content (to be updated)

wMDS specification overview

doc 242 KB

As this web page and the resources it contains remain in development all interested stakeholders should ensure they regularly review this website for the latest updates on the development of the wMDS and its corresponding guidance documents.

If you would like to receive regular updates directly when changes have been made, please sign-up to our mailing list by e-mailing [email protected] and stating that your request is for updates on the Workforce Minimum Data Set.

Further information

Last edited: 27 February 2025 3:34 pm