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Implementing the CSDS v1.6 tools and guidance

Implementation, tools and guidance documents for the Community Services Data Set (CSDS) v1.6.

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CSDS v1.6 (DAPB 1069, release 82/2021) was approved by the Data Alliance Partnership Board (DAPB) for local data collection which commenced on 1 January 2023.  

CSDS v1.6 went live for local data collection on 1 January 2023, with submissions of January 2023 data in the CSDS v1.6 format to SDCS Cloud commencing in February 2023.  

Learn more about the approved information standard and documents. 

CSDS v1.6 Summary of Changes

1. Addition of the ability to capture a specific weight management service type.

2. Addition of a 'Pharmacy' value option to the 'Source of Referral for Community' data item.

3. Amendments to ensure alignment with the NHS Data Model and Dictionary

  • replace 'Consultation Medium Used’ with 'Consultation Mechanism (Community Care) in the ‘CYP201 Care Contact’ table 
  • capture of Overseas Visitor Charging Category data in a new CYP008 Overseas Visitor Charging Category table.
  • new pilot data item ‘Ethnic Category 2021’ added in the ‘CYP001Master Patient Index and Risk Indicators’ table for voluntary inclusion once the value list is available.
  • other minor amendments as identified by the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

Previous communications have been issued by Public Health England about the intention to capture Weight Management Services in CSDS. This is in support of the National Obesity Audit (NOA).

The Data Provision Notice has been updated to reflect the move to Version 1.6 of the CSDS, effective from January 2023. 

If you have any questions about the data set, contact us by emailing [email protected]. 

Submission guidance documents

These documents support services and organisations to configure their systems to extract the data required for the CSDS.

CSDS v1.6 Enhanced Technical Output Specification (ETOS)

The Enhanced Technical Output Specification for the output data set required of providers which defines each data item, within the data set.

This document splits the data set into a number of groups, with each table containing data items and values. Validation rules and derivations that will be applied to the data, on submission to the submission portal are also listed.

Please visit the TRUD pages for the aligned Post Deadline Extract Schema and IDB.

CSDS 1.6 Data Model

The data model shows how the different groups of data within the data set are linked, using primary and foreign keys to join the records.

You might wish to zoom the PDF to a higher size to view the model in detail.

CSDS 1.6 User Guidance

This guidance is for use by providers, IT system suppliers and other stakeholders, to help understand the scope of the standard and how it should be implemented locally, including guidance about what data should be included and how to map to and submit each data item.

CSDS 1.6 Intermediate Database (IDB)

The CSDS intermediate database tool for CSDS v1.6.

If you are a first time user you will need to create an account to download the files.  

Intermediate Database (IDB) Guidance

Guidance for preparing the IDB for making submissions to the SDCS Cloud.

CSDS v1.6 XML Submission Schema

The Community Services Data Set XML Schema Version 1.6.

If you are a first time user you will need to create an account to download the files.

Tier 2 and Tier 3 Weight Management Service Technical Guidance

Technical Guidance for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Weight Management Service Providers.

Data Access Request Service (DARS) Specification and Output Model

The Specification is intended for use by customers requesting access to CSDS data via the Data Access Request Service (DARS). It defines the structure and individual data items that make up the CSDS data assets available to request via DARS.

The Output Model gives a high-level overview of how the different tables in the CSDS are grouped together and made available for request via DARS.

CSDS v1.6 DARS Specification

xlsx 1 MB

Last edited: 6 February 2025 12:25 pm