Background

When the IAPT dataset¹ was introduced in April 2012 it was originally introduced with a Primary and Refresh submission window. Providers were given the opportunity to submit data for the month following activity as provisional data and the second month following activity as refresh data. At this point, refresh data was effectively final data as there were no subsequent opportunities to resubmit data for the activity month.

In August 2023 the Primary and Refresh submission windows were renamed to Provisional and Performance respectively to align with the Mental Health Services Dataset.

Traditionally, metrics have only been published using performance data. It is generally accepted that that the data quality of provisional data is not as high when compared to data submitted in the performance window. There are however significant differences in the timeliness of data.

Over time, work has been done by NHS England to encourage submitters to provide and where necessary resubmit as much data as possible in the provisional window meaning that submissions are now much more reflective of the activity month.

In addition, further work will be undertaken to encourage the small number of providers who currently only submit in the second window, to submit in the first window.