Methodological changes
This page informs you of changes to the methodology used in our publications.
Audits and performance
Ambulance Services
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Ambulance Services, England, 2010-11 |
Ambulance Services, England |
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Ambulance Services, England, 2011-12 |
Data on Written Complaints
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Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Data on written complaints in the NHS, 2011-12 |
Data on written complaints in the NHS |
National Diabetes Audit
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Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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National Diabetes Audit: Report Care Processes and Treatment Targets |
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National Diabetes Audit: Complications |
National Pulmonary Hypertension Audit
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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National Audit of Pulmonary Hypertension, 13th Annual Report |
NHS Safety Thermometer
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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NHS ST classification as management information |
NHS Safety Thermometer Report |
Cancer Statistics
Cancer Registration Statistics, England
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
|
Cancer Registration Methodology |
|
| Cancer Registrations Methodology Update Published: 17 March 2022 |
|
| Data Collection and Quality Assurance of Administrative Data Published: 19 October 2021 |
Cancer Registrations Statistics, England |
| Cancer Registrations Methodology Update Published: 06 June 2024 |
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Cancer Survival in England
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
| Cancer Survival Methodology Published: 19 October 2021 |
Cancer Survival in England |
| Cancer Survival Methodology Update Published: 01 February 2022 |
Cancer Survival in England |
| Lifetables Methodology Published: 01 February 2022 |
Cancer Survival in England |
|
|
Stage at Diagnosis
Health and lifestyles
Health Survey for England
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Health Survey for England: Trend tables - 2010 |
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Health Survey for England: Respiratory health - 2010 |
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Health Survey for England: Trend Tables - 2011 |
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Health Survey for England 2013 |
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| Health Survey for England 2021 Published:13 December 2022 |
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Health Survey for England 2022 |
Mental Health of Children and Young People
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
| Mental Health of Children and Young people: 2017 and follow up surveys Published: 13 September 2021 |
Mental Health of Children and Young people Surveys |
National Child Measurement Programme
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
| National Child Measurement Programme, England, 2019-20 School Year Published: 29 October 2020 |
National Child Measurement Programme |
| National Child Measurement Programme, England, 2020-21 School Year Published: 11 November 2021 |
National Child Measurement Programme |
| National Child Measurement Programme, England, 2023-24 School Year Published: 28 October 2024 |
National Child Measurement Programme |
Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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NHS Contraceptive Services, England, 2010-11 |
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Sexual and Reproductive Health Services, England, 2014-15 |
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Sexual and Reproductive Health Services, England, 2019-20 |
NHS immunisation statistics
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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NHS Immunisation Statistics, England, 2010-2011 |
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NHS Immunisation Statistics, England, 2012-2013 |
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NHS Immunisation Statistics, England, 2013-14 |
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Statistics on public health (previously Statistics on alcohol, drug misuse and smoking)
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Statistics on Public Health, England, 2023 |
Statistics on alcohol (now part of statistics on public health)
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Statistics on Alcohol, England, 2012 |
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Statistics on Alcohol, England, 2014 |
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Statistics on Alcohol, England - 2016 |
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Statistics on drug misuse (now part of Statistics on public health)
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Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Statistics on Drug Misuse, England, 2016 PDF |
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Statistics on Drug Misuse, England, 2018 PDF |
Statistics on Drug Misuse, England, 2018 |
Statistics on smoking (now part of Statistics on public health)
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Statistics on Smoking: England, 2011 |
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Statistics on Smoking: England, 2014 |
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Statistics on Smoking |
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Statistics on stop smoking services
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services in England April 2014 - June 2014 |
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Statistics on Local Stop Smoking Services in England April 2024 - June 2024 |
Statistics on women's smoking status at time of delivery
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Statistics on Women's Smoking Status at Time of Delivery, England 2013 |
Statistics on Women's Smoking Status at Time of Delivery, England |
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Statistics on Women's Smoking Status at Time of Delivery, England 2017 |
|
| Statistics on Women's Smoking Status at Time of Delivery, England 2025 Published: 04 August 2025 |
Statistics on smoking, drinking and drug use among young people
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England, 2010 |
Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Among Young People in England |
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Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England, 2011 [Archive Content] |
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Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England, 2024 |
Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Among Young People in England |
Statistics on obesity, physical activity and diet, England
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet, England, 2014 |
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Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet, England, 2017 |
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Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet, England, 2019 |
Hospital care
Hospital Episode Statistics data changes in 2023
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Announcement of methodological change to HES Published 13 March 2023 |
Hospital Episode Statistics |
Hospital Episode Statistics data changes in 2021
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
|
Announcement of methodological change to HES Methodological changes to HES - Data tables Published August 2022 |
Hospital Episode Statistics |
Hospital Episode Statistics and Emergency Care data set
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
|
Published: 24 August 2020 |
Hospital Episode Statistics |
|
Change to Disclosure Control Methodology for Hospital Episode Statistics and Emergency Care Data Set from September 2018 |
Hospital Episode Statistics |
Provisional Accident and Emergency Quality Indicators - England, by provider and Provisional Monthly Hospital Episode Statistics for Admitted Patient Care, Outpatients and Accident and Emergency data
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
|
Methodological Changes, 2017 |
Hospital Episode Statistics |
Provisional Monthly Hospital Episode Statistics for Admitted Patient Care, Outpatients and Accident and Emergency Data
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Methodological Changes: Provisional Monthly Hospital Episode Statistics for Admitted Patient Care, Outpatients and Accident and Emergency Data 2014 |
Hospital Episode Statistics |
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Methodological Changes: Provisional Monthly Hospital Episode Statistics for Admitted Patient Care, Outpatients and Accident and Emergency Data 2016 |
Hospital Episode Statistics |
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in England: Experimental Statistics |
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Provisional Monthly Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in England May 2012 |
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Provisional Monthly Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in England December 2012 |
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Finalised Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in England |
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Finalised Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in England and Provisional Monthly Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in England |
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Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in England: Experimental Statistics |
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| Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in England: Update to linkage to HES methodology Published: 20 June 2023 |
Indicators
Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Indicators
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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CCG Outcomes Indicator Set - emergency admissions |
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CCG Outcomes Indicator Set - potential years of life lost |
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CCG Outcomes Indicator Set - mortality from breast cancer in females |
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CCG Outcomes Indicator Set - emergency readmissions |
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CCG Outcomes Indicator Set - emergency readmissions Published: 31 March 2022 |
Compendium of hospital care indicators
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Hospital Episode Statistics: deaths within 30 days of a hospital procedure or of an emergency admission to hospital |
Compendium - Hospital care indicators |
Compendium of emergency readmission indicators
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Compendium emergency readmissions within 30 days of discharge from hospital indicator |
Compendium - Emergency readmissions to hospital within 30 days of discharge |
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Compendium emergency readmissions within 30 days of discharge from hospital indicator |
Compendium - Emergency readmissions to hospital within 30 days of discharge |
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Compendium emergency readmissions within 30 days of discharge from hospital indicator |
Compendium - Emergency readmissions to hospital within 30 days of discharge |
NHS Outcomes Framework
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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NHS Outcomes Framework indicators - June 2012 release |
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NHS Outcomes Framework - Cancer Survival |
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NHS Outcomes Framework - Emergency Admissions [Archive Content] |
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NHS Outcomes Framework indicators - December 2013 release |
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NHS Outcomes Framework indicators publication - May 2014 |
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NHS Outcomes Framework - Emergency Readmissions |
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NHS Outcomes Framework - Excess Under 75 Mortality Rates in Adults With Serious Mental Illness |
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NHS Outcomes Framework Indicators - March 2022 release Published 24 March 2022 |
Accident and Emergency
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Provisional Accident & Emergency Quality Indicators for England. Experimental Statistics by provider for March 2012 |
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Provisional Accident and Emergency Quality Indicators for England - July 2017 |
Seven-day services
Quality and Outcomes Framework
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Quality and Outcomes Framework, 2023-24 |
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Quality and Outcomes Framework, 2025-26 |
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Summary Hospital-Level Mortality Indicator (SHMI)
Mental health
Autism Waiting Time Statistics
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Announcement of methodological changes to the Autism Waiting Time Statistics Published: 31 August 2023 |
Autism Waiting Time Statistics |
| Announcement of methodological changes to the Autism Waiting Time Statistics Published: 7 March 2022 |
Autism Waiting Time Statistics |
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
Learning Disability Services Statistics, Assuring Transformation data
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Changes to Learning Disability Services Statistics, Assuring Transformation data, for patients on extended leave under Section 17 of the Mental Health Act |
Learning Disability Services Statistics, Assuring Transformation data |
Mental Health Act
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Inpatients formally detained in hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 and patients subject to Supervised Community Treatment - Annual Figures, England 2011/12 [Archive Content] |
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Mental Health Act Statistics, Annual Figures 2016-17, Experimental statistics Methodological Change Notice |
Mental Health Minimum Dataset
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Mental Health Bulletin: Annual report from MHMDS returns - England 2011/12, initial national figures |
Mental Health Bulletin: Annual report from MHMDS returns - England |
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Routine Quarterly Mental Health Minimum Dataset Reports - Provisional Q1 2011/12 summary statistics and related information |
Routine Quarterly Mental Health Minimum Data Set (MHMDS) Reports |
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Monthly Mental Health Minimum Dataset (MHMDS) Reports |
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Monthly MHMDS Reports 2014-15 |
Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Statistics
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Monthly MHLDS Reports |
Mental Health Service Monthly Statistics
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Impact of improving our Data Processing Services on Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics, 2019-20 onwards [Archive Content] |
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Impact of improving our Data Processing Services on Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics, 2019-20 onwards - Reference Tables |
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| Announcement of methodological changes to the Restrictive Intervention Statistics Published: 29 June 2022 |
Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics |
| Changing the submission windows for the Mental Health Services Data Published: 26 October 2023 |
Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics |
| Changes to Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics reporting following the move to version 6 of MHSDS Published: 1 July 2024 |
Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics |
|
Implementation of referral spells using MHSDS data Published: 14 August 2024 |
Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics |
NHS Talking Therapies
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Changing the submission windows for NHS Talking Therapies Data Announcement of methodological change Published 24 October 2023 |
NHS Talking Therapies monthly statistics including employment advisors NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression annual report |
Patient environment
Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment - PLACE, England 2014
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment - PLACE, England 2014 |
Prescribing
Primary care
NHS Continuing Healthcare
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC): population methodology |
General Ophthalmic Services
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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General Opthalmic services activity statistics - England, Year ending 31 March 2011 |
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General Ophthalmic Services, Activity statistics - England, 2011-12 |
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Patients Registered at a GP Practice
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Patients Registered at a GP Practice data source update |
Primary Care Dementia Data
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Methodological changes to Primary Care Dementia Data |
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Methodological changes to Primary Care Dementia Data |
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Recorded Dementia Diagnoses
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Recorded Dementia Diagnoses PDF |
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Recorded Dementia Diagnoses PDF |
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Screening
Breast Screening Programme
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Breast Screening Programme, England, Statistics for 2012-13 |
Cervical Screening Programme
|
Methodological changes |
Publication |
|---|---|
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Cervical screening programme, England, 2010-11 |
Cervical Screening Programme |
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Cervical screening programme, England, 2012-13 |
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Cervical screening programme, England, 2013-14 |
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Workforce
Dental Earnings and Expenses
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Dental Earnings and Expenses - England and Wales, 2009/10 |
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Dental Earnings and Expenses - Northern Ireland, 2009/10 |
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Dental Earnings and Expenses - Scotland, 2009/10 |
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Dental Earnings and Expenses - England and Wales, 2010/11 |
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Dental Earnings and Expenses - Northern Ireland, 2010/11 |
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Dental Earnings and Expenses - Scotland, 2010/11 |
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Dental Earnings and Expenses England and Wales, 2011/12 |
Dental Earnings and Expenses |
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Dental Earnings and Expenses Estimates 2016-17 Published: 30 August 2018 |
Dental Earnings and Expenses |
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Dental Earnings and Expenses Estimates 2017-18 Published: 29 August 2019 |
Dental Earnings and Expenses |
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Dental Earnings and Expenses Estimates 2018-19 Published: 27 August 2020 |
Dental Earnings and Expenses |
Dentists' Working Patterns, Motivation and Morale
| Methodological changes | Publication |
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Dental Working Hours - England and Wales, 2010/11 and 2011/12 |
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Dental Working Hours - Northern Ireland, 2010/11 and 2011/12 |
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Dental Working Hours - Scotland, 2010/11 and 2011/12 |
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Announcement of methodological change to dental working hours 2016/17 and 2017/18 |
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Dentists' Working Patterns, Motivation and Morale, 2018/19 and 2019/20 Published: 27 August 2020 |
Dental Working Hours |
General Ophthalmic Services: Workforce Statistics for England and Wales
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
|
General Ophthalmic Services: Workforce Statistics for England and Wales 31 December 2014 |
General Ophthalmic Services Workforce Statistics |
General Practice Workforce
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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General and Personal Medical Services, England September 2015 - (Statistical change notice) |
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General and Personal Medical Services, England September 2015 - (Methodological change notice) |
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General Practice Workforce - December 2018 (Methodological Change Notice) |
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General Practice Workforce - February 2019 (Methodological Change Notice) Published: 04 March 2019 |
General and Personal Medical Services, England |
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General Practice Workforce - June 2021 (Methodological Change Notice) Published: 20 July 2021 |
General and Personal Medical Services, England |
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Published: 08 December 2021 |
General and Personal Medical Services, England |
GP Earnings and Expenses
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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GP Earnings and Expenses - 2009/10 pdf [Archive Content] |
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GP Earnings and Expenses - 2010/11 pdf [Archive Content] |
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GP Earnings and Expenses 2011/12 |
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GP Earnings and Expenses Estimates 2016/17 pdf |
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Investment in General Practice
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Investment in General Practice, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland 2008/09 to 2012/13 |
Investment in General Practice |
NHS Payments to General Practice, England
| Methodological changes | Publication | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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NHS Payments to General Practice, England 2018-19 |
NHS Payments to General Practice |
NHS Workforce Statistics
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
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Sources for Workforce Publications NHS Workforce Statistics PDF |
Primary care workforce quarterly update
| Methodological changes | Publication |
|---|---|
| Primary care workforce quarterly update statistics - methodology statement |
Last edited: 19 August 2025 2:46 pm
Social care
Adult Social Care Survey
Adult Social Care Survey, England 2011-12 Provisional Release
Published: 12 September 2012
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey - England
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, England, 2014-15
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, England
Community Care Statistics
Community Care Statistics: Social Services Activity, England - 2009-10 (further release)
Published: 20 April 2011
Community Care Statistics, Social Services Activity, England
Community Care Statistics: Social Services Activity, England 2011-12, Provisional Release [Archive Content]
Published: 12 September 2012
Community Care Statistics: Social Services Activity, England 2014-15 [Archive Content]
Published: 6 October 2015
National Indicator Set
Social Care and Mental Health Indicators from the National Indicator Set: 2010-11 Provisional
Published: 21 October 2011 (provisional) and 28 March 2012 (final)
Social Care and Mental Health Indicators from the National Indicator Set
Personal Social Services
Personal Social Services: Expenditure and Unit Costs, England - 2010-11 Provisional Release
Published: 30 November 2011
Personal Social Services Expenditure and Unit Costs - England
Personal Social Services: Staff of Social Services Departments, England - At 30 September 2010
Published: 31 March 2011
Personal Social Services: Staff of Social Services Departments
Personal Social Services: Staff of Social Services Departments, England - as at September 2011 [Archive Content]
Published: 29 March 2012
Personal Social Services: Staff of Social Services Departments
Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, 2014 -15
Published: 16 September 2015
Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England
Personal Social Services: Expenditure and Unit Costs, England 2014/15 onwards
Published: 16 September 2015
Personal Social Services: Expenditure and Unit Costs, England
Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, England 2020-21
Published: 9 August 2021
Published: 10 June 2022
Published: 1 September 2022
Registered Blind and Partially Sighted People
Registered Blind and Partially Sighted People - Year ending 31 March 2011
Published: 1 September 2011
Registered Blind and Partially Sighted People - England