The NHS Data Model and Dictionary is maintained by the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service.

NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service Products

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service produce other supporting products and services which complement the content of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

These can be found on the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service website and can be accessed by clicking on the link to the 'NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service' on the front page of the dictionary.

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service website contains information, such as:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• How to access the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service Consultation Website?
• How to join the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service Mailing List?
• Links to other useful websites etc.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

Access the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Main Menu.

•   Help Pages

If you need help using the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, access the Help pages.

The "All Items Index" lists all the items in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary in alphabetical order.

All items are coloured coded:

• Classes are shown in Red
• Attributes are shown in Purple
• Data Elements are shown in Green
• Data Sets are shown in Aqua Blue
• Central Return Forms are shown in Pink and
• NHS Business Definitions and Supporting Information are shown in Blue.

There is a link “To top” on each page which takes you back to the top of the "All Items Index" page. 

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

View All Items Index (A-Z) in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on the All Items Index, see the All Items Index Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations.  If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.

To navigate to an Attribute:

• Click on Attributes on the left hand menu;
  • Because there are a large number of Attributes, the alphabetical list has been broken down into groups to make it easier to find what you are looking for.
• Click on a group of letters in the Attribute menu to display the list of Attributes for that group;
• Click on the Attribute name to display the definition for a specific Attribute.

 For more information on Attributes, see Attributes Help.

An Attribute is the detailed information that describes a Class, for example, NHS NUMBER is an Attribute of the Class PATIENT.

Each Attribute:

• Has a Purple Bar to signify that it is an Attribute;
• Name is in UPPERCASE and where the name appears in text in PURPLE, it indicates that it is a hyperlink and if clicked on will display the definition for that Attribute.

The following information is available on an Attribute:

• "Description" tab: a definition of the Attribute which provides hyperlinks to other related definitions. It may contain National Codes.
• 
  
• "Where Used" tab: every item where the Attribute is used within the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.
• 
  
• "Data Elements" tab: the Data Elements based on the Attribute.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

View Attributes in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on Attributes, see the Attributes Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.

It contains Data Collections and associated definitions which have been assured by the Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care. The information will be of interest to professionals and ORGANISATIONS that work within Health and Social Care, along with suppliers of electronic systems and services.

It does not contain all national data collections. These can be found within the Information Catalogue maintained by The NHS Information Centre for health and social care.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

Access the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Main Menu.

•   Help Pages

If you need help using the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, access the Help pages.

To navigate to a Class:

• Click on Classes on the left hand menu;
• Click on a letter in the Class menu to display the list of Classes for that letter;
• Click on the Class name to display the definition for a specific Class.

 For more information on Classes, see Classes Help.

A Class is something that you want to describe and the Attributes define the detail for the Class.

For example, the APPOINTMENT Class in the NHS Data Model describes an arrangement for a PATIENT to be seen by a CARE PROFESSIONAL.

The detail for the Class is defined by its Attributes, for example APPOINTMENT DATE, ATTENDED OR DID NOT ATTEND etc.

For further information on Attributes, see Attributes.

Classes are shown in diagrams as in the example below:

Classes, Attributes and Relationships are components which together define the NHS Data Model. For further information, see Data Modelling.

A Class is something that you want to describe and the Attributes define the detail for the Class.

For example, the APPOINTMENT Class in the NHS Data Model describes an arrangement for a PATIENT to be seen by a CARE PROFESSIONAL.
The detail for the Class is defined by its Attributes, for example APPOINTMENT DATE, ATTENDED OR DID NOT ATTEND etc.
For further information on Attributes, see Attributes.

Each Class:

• Has a Red Bar to signify that it is a Class;
• Name is in UPPERCASE and where the name appears in text in RED, it indicates that it is a hyperlink and if clicked on will display the definition for that Class.

The following information is available on a Class:

• "Description" tab: a definition of the Class which provides hyperlinks to other related definitions.
• 
  
• "Attributes" tab: the Attributes which are associated with that Class.
  • A Key or a set of keys uniquely identifies an instance of a Class.
  • The K before the Attribute name indicates that this is a key attribute of the Class.
  • Attributes are sequenced with the key Attributes first.
• 
  
• "Relationships" tab: the Relationship between Classes. For further information, see Relationships. 
  • Description:
    • The nature of the Relationship is indicated by:
      • 'must be' if the Relationship is mandatory and
      • 'may be' if the Relationship is optional.
      • For further information, see Cardinality.
    • Where Relationships from one Class to others are mutually exclusive, then 'or' appears at the beginning of the description between the second and subsequent exclusive Relationships. For further information, see Mutually Exclusive Relationships.
  • Keys:
    • A Key Relationship uniquely identifies an instance of a Class.
    • Key Relationships are indicated by K before the relationship description.
    • Relationships are sequenced with the key Relationships first.
• 
  
• "Where Used" tab: every item where the Class is used within the NHS Data Model and Dictionary. 

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

View Classes in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on Classes, see the Classes Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.

This page contains information on the following subjects:

• Commissioning Data Sets
• Commissioning Data Set Supporting Information
• Schema Documentation
• Supporting Data Sets

Commissioning Data Sets

The Commissioning Data Set is the basic structure used for the submission of commissioning data to the Secondary Uses Service. Every secondary care provider in England has to send a set of standard Commissioning Data Sets to the Secondary Uses Service which contains details of all the care they have provided.

Each Commissioning Data Set name is in Title Case and where the name of a Data Set is Aqua Blue, it indicates that it is a hyperlink and if clicked on will display the Data Set.

To access a Commissioning Data Set,:

• Access the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Main Menu
• Select Commissioning Data Sets Menu from the left hand menu
• Select Commissioning Data Set Versions
• Select the link to CDS Version CDS006 Type List.
  • New Layout with CDS-XML Schema Rules and Overview (new layout)
  • Overview Existing CDS Type (old layout)

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service have redesigned the Commissioning Data Set pages within the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, to provide all the required rules and information in one view. The purpose of the change of layout of the Commissioning Data Set tables within the NHS Data Model and Dictionary is to improve user understanding. There will be dual running of the old and new layouts for a trial period at which point only the new layout will be available.  Further guidance on the new layout can be found below under "What would you like to do next? - Guidance".

There are three frames to each Commissioning Data Set:

• "Left Hand Frame": shows the Commissioning Data Set menu.
• 
  
• "Middle Frame":
  • This displays the Data Set.
  • The Data Set is split into Data Groups which contain Data Elements grouped into logical sections. For example the ‘CDS Data Group: Patient Identity’ contains Data Elements relating to a Patient’s identity such as NHS NUMBER.
  • If you click on any item in the Data Set, the definition will be displayed in the "Right Hand Frame".
• 
  
• "Right Hand Frame":
  • For the old style Commissioning Data Sets, this initially shows the Commissioning Data Sets Introduction page and provides links to other more detailed information.  This initial page is displayed with each Commissioning Data Set.
  • For the new style Commissioning Data Sets, initially shows an "Overview" page, which provides information relating to the type of Commissioning Data Set.
  • It displays Data Element definitions viewed from the "Middle Frame".
• Where information is displayed in frames, the width of the frames can be adjusted by clicking on the “vertical” scroll bar and dragging it left or right as appropriate.

Commissioning Data Set Supporting Information

Further information relating to Commissioning Data Sets can be accessed from the Commissioning Data Sets menu in the "Left Hand Frame".

This section provides help and guidance for transmitting the Commissioning Data Sets to the Secondary Uses Service, for example, the Commissioning Data Set Message Schema Versions page.  The Commissioning Data Set XML Message Schema, documentation and Release notes can be downloaded from this page.

Note: XML based messaging has been mandated as the standard to be used for transmitting the Commissioning Data Sets.  The XML Schema defines the nationally agreed data specification.

Schema Documentation

The Commissioning Data Set XML Message Schema is a technical document that is designed for use by anyone setting up and maintaining systems to flow Commissioning Data Sets.  It offers a visual representation of the actual XML Schema against which the data is validated.

This provides:

• The Format and Length of the Data Element
• Optionality:  this indicates whether Data Elements are Optional or Mandatory
• Conditionality:  this indicates that there are conditions where the Data Element must be populated
• National codes (not descriptions) which are shown as enumerations
• A structural view of each Commissioning Data Set

Supporting Data Sets

Supporting Data Sets are subsets of Commissioning Data Sets and can be accessed from the Front Page as with any other Data Sets, for example, the Critical Care Minimum Data Set.  All relevant Commissioning Data Sets can be accessed by clicking on the hyperlinks form this Data Set.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

View the Commissioning Data Set Overview in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

•   Guidance

For guidance on the new Commissioning Data Set Layout, see the Commissioning Data Set Redesign Guidance Notes.

A Data Set is a group of Data Elements that are required to support business analysis, for example, data associated with an Accident And Emergency Attendance is transmitted in the CDS V6 Type 010 - Accident and Emergency Commissioning Data Set.

The primary purpose of national data sets is to enable the same health information to be generated across the country independent of the ORGANISATION or system that captures it.

Note: The NHS Data Model and Dictionary does not contain all national data collections. These can be found within the Information Catalogue maintained by The NHS Information Centre for health and social care.

Data Sets are grouped together on the front page of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary under Data Collections. A description of each type of data set can be found by hovering over the item name.

The Commissioning Data Sets section also contains supplementary information, see the Commissioning Data Sets Help page for further information.

Each Data Collection name is in Title Case.

Where the name of a:

• Data Set in text is Aqua Blue, it indicates that it is a hyperlink and if clicked on will display the Data Set and
• Central Return Form is Pink, it indicates that it is a hyperlink and if clicked on will display the Central Return Form.

There are three frames to each Data Set:

• "Left Hand Frame": shows the appropriate Data Set menu.
• 
  
• "Middle Frame":
  • For Data Sets:
    • This displays the Data Set and may also contain information relating to the data set.
    • The Data Set is split into Data Groups which contain Data Elements grouped into logical sections.
    • If you click on any item in the Data Set, the definition will be displayed in the "Right Hand Frame".
  • For Central Return Forms, this provides a picture of the form. There is a tab for each page of the form.
• 
  
• "Right Hand Frame":
  • Initially shows an "Introduction" or "Overview" page, which provides information relating to the type of Data Set.
  • It displays Data Element definitions viewed from the "Middle Frame".
• 
  
• Where information is displayed in frames, the width of the frames can be adjusted by clicking on the “vertical” scroll bar and dragging it left or right as appropriate.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

View Data Collections in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on Data Collections, see the Data Collections Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.

To navigate to a Data Set:

• Click on the Data Set type on the left hand menu to display the relevant Data Set menu and Introduction page;
• Click on the Data Set name to display the Data Set and Overview page.

 For more information on Data Sets, see the Data Collections Help.

A Data Element is the definition of the information which is usually transmitted in a Data Set.

In addition, Data Elements can contain text providing guidance, support, values or other information concerning the Data Element and its usage.

Each Data Element:

• Has a Green Bar to signify that it is a Data Element;
• Name is in UPPERCASE and where the name appears in text in GREEN, it indicates that it is a hyperlink and if clicked on will display the definition for that Data Element.

The following information is available on an Data Element:

• "Description" tab: a definition of the Data Element which provides hyperlinks to other related definitions.
  
  
  • Format/Length:
    • An entry in this field defines the format and length of the Data Element.
    • The character set used for Data Elements is the UTF-8 standard (Unicode Transformation Format-8).
    • The number indicates the field length of the Data Element.
  • 
    
  • HES Item:
    • This is the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) name for the Data Element, for example, Data Element BIRTH DATE has a Hospital Episode Statistics item name of "DOB".
    • Hospital Episode Statistics is a data warehouse containing details of all admitted and outpatient activity reported in the Commissioning Data Sets, therefore, not all Data Elements have a HES Item name.
    • A list of HES names can be found in the Hospital Episode Statistics Cross Reference Tables.
  • 
    
  • National Codes:
    • An entry in this field indicates that National Codes or classifications exist for the Data Element (as an Attribute) and describes how to view them.
    • If there are no agreed National Codes or classifications for the Data Element, the field is blank.
  • 
    
  •  Default Codes:
    • An entry in this field indicates that in addition to the agreed National Codes for the Data Element, there are default codes applicable to that Data Element only.
    • If there are no Default Codes for the Data Element, the field is blank.
      
  • 
    
  • Notes:
    • The Notes section provides guidance or other information concerning the Data Element and its usage.
    • The table at the foot of the page shows if there is an alias for this Data Element, e.g. schema name etc.
• 
  
• "Where Used" tab: every item where the Data Element is used within the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.
• 
  
• "Attribute" tab: the Attribute the Data Element is based on.
  • Data Elements are linked to Attributes so they can share the common Attribute definition. For example, NHS NUMBER, NHS NUMBER (BABY) and NHS NUMBER (MOTHER) are based on the one Attribute of NHS NUMBER.
  • Not all Data Elements are based on an Attribute. Some Data Elements are derived from other items, for example, AGE ON ADMISSION is a derived item and is not linked to an Attribute.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

View Data Elements in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on Data Elements, see the Data Elements Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.

To navigate to a Data Element:

• Click on Data Elements on the left hand menu;
  • Because there are a large number of Data Elements, the alphabetical list has been broken down into groups to make it easier to find what you are looking for
• Click on a group of letters in the Data Element menu to display the list of Data Elements for that group;
• Click on the Data Element name to display the definition for a specific Data Element.

 For more information on Data Elements, Data Elements Help.

Classes, Attributes and Relationships are components which together define the NHS Data Model and are a suggested reference point for System Suppliers when developing systems.

• Demonstrations

These components are explained in a short PowerPoint presentation. To view this presentation, see the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Components.

NHS Data Model

The NHS Data Model provides:

• Structure to the data
  • This enables data to be seen in context to other data items. This is achieved by grouping data into Classes and having relationships between the Classes.
• 
  
• Detailed data definitions
  • Agreed definitions provide a common basis for communication.
• 
  
• High level graphical view of data
  • The NHS Data Model and Dictionary has a small set of Diagrams which represent parts of the NHS Data Model. These diagrams show the Classes, Relationships and Cardinality.
  • For example, the Patient Pathway diagram shows the Patient Pathways covered by the 18 week referral to treatment target.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

Access the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Main Menu.

•   Help Pages

If you need help using the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, access the Help pages.

  Demonstrations

A number of short demonstrations are available which will take you through each component, step by step, in an easy to understand screen capture including a voice over and readable captions.
You can access the demonstrations from the help pages, they are indicated by this icon.

If you are not familiar with the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, it is recommended that you proceed through the demonstrations in the following order.

The subjects covered are:

• Classes
• Attributes
• Data Elements
• Data Collections
• NHS Business Definitions
• Supporting Information
• Diagrams
• Related DSCN/ISN
• Search
• All Items Index (A-Z)
• What's New

• test your knowledge on the section you have just completed
• navigate through all the demonstrations in the order above (recommended for new users)
• return to the Help menu
• return to the front page of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

Once you have completed the demonstrations, there are two quizzes to check your understanding of the help pages and the navigation options:

• Knowledge Check of the Help pages
• Navigation Exercises

The content of these demonstrations is for training purposes only and therefore may not match the current content of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.
Please refer to the Main Menu for the latest version of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

• NHS Data Model and Dictionary Components
• NHS Data Model and Dictionary Maintenance Process

How to use the Demonstrations

• Playback Control bar

The Playback Control bar appears at the bottom of every page.  Titles for the controls will appear when you hover over them.
The controls are explained below:

• Rewind:  This control allows you to rewind back to the beginning of the demonstration
  

•    Play / Pause:  This control allows you to play or pause a demonstration
  • 
    
• Back:  This control allows you to 'rewind' a demonstration at specific intervals
  • 
    
• Forward:  This control allows you to go forward in a demonstration at specific intervals
  • 
    
• Fast Forward:  This control allows you to fast forward through the demonstration
  • 
    
•     Audio On / Off:  This control allows you to turn the audio on or off
  • 
    
• Exit:  This control exits the demonstration
  • 
    
• Information:  This control provides information on Adobe Captivate

Please note:

• will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.
• if you have problems viewing the demonstrations (i.e. screen size), contact your organisation's technical support for advice.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

Access the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Main Menu.

•   Help Pages

If you need help using the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, access the Help pages.

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary has a number of diagrams which represent specific parts of the NHS Data Model.

The diagrams show:

• Relationships between Classes;
• Relationship Cardinality;
• Key Attributes and
• Other Attributes that are relevant to the model view. Note that not all Attributes for a Class will be visible.

There are three frames to each Diagram:

• "Left Hand Frame": shows the Diagrams Menu.
• 
  
• "Middle Frame":
  • Displays the diagram, which contains Classes and selected Attributes associated to that Class.
  • If you click on any Class or Attribute, the description will be displayed in the "Right Hand Frame".
  • 
    
• "Right Hand Frame":
  • Initially shows the Diagram overview page, which provides information relating to the selected diagram.
  • Displays definitions viewed from the "Middle Frame."
• 
  
• Where information is displayed in frames, the width of the frames can be adjusted by clicking on the “vertical” scroll bar and dragging it left or right as appropriate.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

View Diagrams in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on Diagrams, see the Diagrams Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.

To navigate to a Diagram:

• Click on Diagrams on the left hand menu;
• Click on the Diagram name to display the Diagram.

 For more information on Diagrams, see Diagrams Help.

Welcome to the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Help Pages

• This page provides a list of all NHS Data Model and Dictionary help pages.
• All the pages listed below can also be accessed from the menu in the left hand frame.
• The help pages have three icons which are a visual prompt to indicate that there is a hyperlink.

Please note that the icons are not hyperlinks.

ITEM NAME

DESCRIPTION

NAVIGATION

HELP

DEMONSTRATIONS

•  Help Menu

It has been developed for everyone who is actively involved in the collection of data and the management of information in the NHS.

If you would like to know more about us or need help using the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, see the Help pages

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary is maintained and published by the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service and all changes are assured by the Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care and published as Information Standards Notices (ISNs).

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary provides a reference point for assured information standards to support health care activities within the NHS in England. It has been developed for everyone who is actively involved in the collection of data and the management of information in the NHS.

Related Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Links
Department of Health website
The NHS Information Centre for health and social care website
Information Catalogue
Secondary Uses Service website

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary maintenance process follows the steps listed below:

• Need Identified
• Identify Sponsor and Developer
• Analysis and Data Modelling
• Draft Change Request
• Consultation Process
• Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care (ISB)

This process is described below.

• Demonstrations

A PowerPoint presentation is also available which will take you through this process. To view this presentation, see the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Maintenance Process.

• Need Identified

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service are approached when changes to information standards are required. This could be the introduction of a new information standard or an amendment, deletion or retirement of an existing one.

• Identify Sponsor and Developer

The Sponsor and Developer are responsible for producing the documentation to support the Information Standards Notice (ISN), this includes: Standard Specification Implementation Plan Supporting Documents, for example, technical guidance etc.

• Analysis and Data Modelling

The proposed information standard is analysed against existing standards within the NHS Data Model and Dictionary. Stakeholders are involved during this development stage to clarify and resolve any potential issues.

• Draft Change Request

The Change Request: is a document that illustrates how the NHS Data Model and Dictionary is impacted by the proposed new standard is reviewed during the Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care appraisal process

• Consultation Process

A draft Change Request may be made available on the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service Consultation Website, where stakeholders are invited to comment on the suggested changes. For further information on the Consultation Website, see NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service Consultation Website. Comments are shared with the Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care.

• Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care (ISB)

The Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care provide an independent mechanism for the assurance and approval of Information Standards for use in the NHS (England).  They ensure that new information standards are implementable, interoperable, fit for purpose and safe when implemented in the NHS and Social Care.

For each change, the Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care (ISB) may:

1. Reject the Change
2. Conditionally Approve the Change or
3. Approve the Change 
    

1. Reject the Change (Change Rejected)

The Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care may reject the change, i.e. the change is not fit for purpose.

2. Conditionally Approve the Change (Further Analysis)

The change could be returned to the Sponsor, Developer and NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service for further analysis and to make changes to the submission documents and Change Request.

3. Approve the Change (Publishing of Information Standards Notices and Updating the NHS Data Model and Dictionary

• Publishing of Information Standards Notices
  • Assured and approved data standards are published as Information Standards Notices (ISNs) by the Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care
  • Not all Information Standards Notices include a change to the NHS Data Model and Dictionary. Where the change affects the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, the Information Standards Notice will include a link to the Change Request.
  • Information Standards Notices can be found on the Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care website and Data Set Change Notices can be found on the NHS Connecting for Health website.
  • You can sign up to receive notification of new Information Standards Notices by subscribing to the ISB Mailing List.
  • For some Information Standards Notices there may be an Advanced Notification (AN) which provides details of the proposed change, their potential effects and proposed timeframes. An Advanced Notification is very similar to an Information Standards Notice. The main differences are they have:
    • a proposed implementation date, which may differ from the final related Information Standards Notice and
    • a watermark of ‘Advanced Notification’ to highlight that this is a proposed change
      
      
• Updating the NHS Data Model and Dictionary
  • Once the change has been approved, the information is usually incorporated into the NHS Data Model and Dictionary around the change implementation date and a new release is published
  • The What's New page shows the information standards that have been incorporated into each release of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary
  • You can sign up to receive notification of new releases of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary by subscribing to the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service Mailing List. 

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

Access the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Main Menu.

•   Help Pages

If you need help using the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, access the Help pages.

In some situations, Relationships may be Mutually Exclusive, i.e. either one or other Relationship may be present, but not both.

For example, a particular SERVICE REQUEST may relate to either a CARE PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION or a SERVICE POINT not both at the same time.

This 'either/or' situation is shown by a line spanning the Relationships in question.

An example of Mutually Exclusive Relationships in diagrams is given below:

In some diagrams only one of the Mutually Exclusive Relationships may be present, the other, being not applicable to the diagram, being omitted.

For example, a particular diagram is concerned with SERVICE REQUESTS and requires the inclusion of SERVICE POINT, however, the second Mutually Exclusive Relationship to CARE PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION is not relevant to the diagram and can be left out.

This omission is indicated by the straight line (arc) which normally spans the two Relationships being displayed in a reduced manner.

An example of a Reduced Mutually Exclusive Relationship Arc in diagrams is given below:

There are many ways to navigate the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.  Below are examples of how to access the information you require and the links to find out more about them: 

• Search

If you can't find the item you are looking for there alternative ways of locating it. Quick and Advanced Search Facilities allow for a general text search.

• Data Collections

If you are you are interested in the reporting requirements for a specific healthcare area, Data Sets are a useful starting point. For example, organisations interested in reporting Mental Health activity may choose to navigate to the relevant definitions by accessing the Data Collections option.

• All Items Index (A-Z)

This lists all the items in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary in alphabetical order.

• Data Model Components

If you want to understand the standards in relation to a specific area of healthcare, for example, a Referral Request, you can access:

• Classes; which provide a definition of a Referral Request
• Attributes; which detail the information recorded for a Referral Request
• Diagrams; which detail the Classes, Key Attributes and Relationships relevant to a Referral Request.

• What's New

If you are looking for a recently incorporated information standard or are looking for a specific ISN/DSCN number, the What's New page shows the information standards that have been incorporated into each release of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary. It also provides hyperlinks to the associated Information Standards Notices and Data Set Change Notices.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

Access the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Main Menu.

•   Help Pages

If you need help using the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, access the Help pages.

To navigate to a NHS Business Definition:

• Click on NHS Business Definitions on the left hand menu;
• Click on a letter in the NHS Business Definition menu to display the list of NHS Business Definitions for that letter;
• Click on the NHS Business Definition name to display the definition for a specific NHS Business Definition.

 For more information on NHS Business Definitions, see NHS Business Definitions Help.

The text for each NHS Business Definition starts by identifying which Class is used and is followed by a description of the item.

Each NHS Business Definition name is distinguished from Classes, Attributes and Data Elements by appearing in Title Case rather than UPPERCASE (see the example below) and where the name in text in Blue, it indicates that it is a hyperlink and if clicked on will display the definition for that NHS Business Definition.

An example of an NHS Business Definition is a Hospital Provider Spell, which is related to the Class ACTIVITY GROUP.

The following information is available on an NHS Business Definition:

• "Description" tab: a definition of the NHS Business Definition which provides hyperlinks to other related definitions.

• "Where Used" tab: every item where the NHS Business Definition is used within the NHS Data Model and Dictionary. 

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

View NHS Business Definitions in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on NHS Business Definitions, see the NHS Business Definitions Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.

Relationships can exist from a Class to itself and represent a hierarchy. These are known as self or recursive relationships. They are also described as a “Pigs Ear” by the way they are represented on a diagram. A simple example is that a Manager may be a Manger and also be managed by a Manager.

For example, within the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, a CLINICAL INVESTIGATION RESULT ITEM may be related to a number of other CLINICAL INVESTIGATION RESULT ITEMS.

This association between the higher level class and its lower level subdivisions is indicated by a square line in the top right hand corner of the class.

An example of a Recursive Relationship in diagrams is given below:

The Related DSCN/ISN page shows which Information Standards Notice or Data Set Change Notice made changes to an item.

The Related DSCN/ISN page can be found at the top right hand side under the Quick Search box on every page.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

Access the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Main Menu.

•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on the Related DSCN/ISN page, see the Related DSCN/ISN Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.

A Relationship shows how Classes are related to each other.

For example a PATIENT may be the subject of many ACTIVITIES, for example, have many Accident And Emergency Attendances.

Relationships between Classes are shown in Diagrams with a line connecting the Classes as in the example below:

Note: The numbers at the top and bottom of the connecting line are known as Cardinality.

There are two search facilities in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary:

• Quick Search Facility

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary has a quick search facility to allow a general text search. This is available on all pages.

• Advanced Search

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary has an Advanced search facility which is only available on the front page. The Advanced Search allows you to search by item. 

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

Access the Advanced Search or Main Menu to access the quick search.

• 
  
•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on the Search Facilities, see the Search Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.

A Class may share common Attributes and Relationships with other Classes but also have some which are specific to that Class only.

For example, ACTIVITY GROUP and CARE ACTIVITY have an ACTIVITY IDENTIFIER as well as having their own unique properties.

ACTIVITY GROUP and CARE ACTIVITY are classed as 'subtypes' of ACTIVITY and as such inherit the properties of the 'supertype' as well as having their own properties.

An example of a 'Supertypes' and 'Subtypes' in diagrams is given below:

Supporting Information provides additional information to help users understand and use the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

View Supporting Information in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on Supporting Information, see the Supporting Information Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.

Supporting Information provides information to help users understand and use the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

 For more information on Supporting Information, see Supporting Information Help.

Use the links below to access more detailed information:

• Administrative Codes
• Clinical Coding
• Default Codes Summary Table
• Location Type Codes
• Main Specialty and Treatment Function Codes
• Mental Health Act Table
• Metadata Files

• NHS Policies
• NHS Postcode Directory
• NHS Trust Mergers
• Organisations

• About the NHS Data Model and Dictionary Version 3
• Change Request Log
• Disclaimer
• Glossary of Terms
• Meta Model

• Contact Details
• Information Standards Notices (ISNs)
• NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service Website

The What's New page shows the information standards that have been incorporated into each release of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

The associated Information Standards Notices and Data Set Change Notices can be accessed by selecting the hyperlink.

It is important to note that the Information Standards Notice implementation date determines when it will be published in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.
Information Standards Notices not yet incorporated into the NHS Data Model and Dictionary are still assured standards. 

What would you like to do next?

•  NHS Data Model and Dictionary Content

View What's New in the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.

•   Demonstrations

For a demonstration on What's New, see the What's New Demonstration.

Please note that you will need flash player to view these demonstrations. If you do not have flash player, contact your organisation's technical support for further information.