About the framework

This framework has been developed to reflect current policies and best practice to help drive forward excellence in data quality practice and to encourage the use of a range of available methods to improve the administration and practice of data quality.

The framework focuses on enabling organisations’ capability to excel in data quality practice, reviewing technology, skills and education. This is also underpinned by key aspects of leadership and communication. 

The framework is divided into two parts where Part 1 is aimed at organisations needing to establish data quality assurance processes and practices.  Part 2  is for those organisations that are looking to build on and improve their existing data quality assurance processes and practices.

Each part of the framework has five sections that look across governance, process and people elements of data quality, along with technology enablers and the measurement of data quality. Each section contains objectives, benefits, best practice and in some instances a case study.  Links to additional resources and other supportive materials can be found in the appendix of each part of the framework.

Each part of the framework contains a set of assurance criteria questions that enable an organisation to self-assess current levels of data quality assurance and identify areas of improvement to focus on.  For Part 2 the questions to be answered are:

• Do you have an established Data Quality Group that meets on a regular basis and sets data quality policy for the organisation?
• Do you have an established process for reporting and actioning data quality related incidents to resolve and learn from data quality errors?
• Do you have a formal data quality related training & education programme delivered to all staff within your organisation?
• Do you have a programme of systems training that defines system usage best practice and promotes the capture of quality data at the point of entry?
• Do you have local data quality metrics in place to assure the underlying data used in key pathways or metrics?

To assist NHS England in understanding the current level of data quality assurance across provider organisations could anyone using this framework please forward a copy of the completed assurance checklist questions to the Data Quality team mailbox. This information will not be published, it will only be used to identify common areas of DQ assurance requiring improvement. This information can then be used to inform future development of assurance activities and initiatives.

The framework will be supported by a community of practice delivered through Microsoft Teams to share data quality assurance best practice, resources and case studies from across the NHS.