The Diagnostics Waiting Times and Activity Data Set provides definitions to support the national data collections on DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, a key element towards monitoring waits from referral to treatment. ORGANISATIONS responsible for the DIAGNOSTIC TEST activity report the DIAGNOSTIC TEST waiting times and the number of tests completed.

This data set is for the monthly return covering 15 key DIAGNOSTIC TESTS as below:

IMAGING
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Computer Tomography
Non-obstetric ultrasound
Barium Enema
DEXA Scan (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry)

PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT
Audiology - audiological assessments
Cardiology - echocardiography
Cardiology - electrophysiology
Neurophysiology - peripheral neurophysiology
Respiratory physiology - sleep studies
Urodynamics - pressures & flows

ENDOSCOPY
Colonoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Cystoscopy
Gastroscopy

Aggregated numbers of PATIENTS waiting for a DIAGNOSTIC TEST/procedure funded by the NHS should be included. This includes all referral routes (i.e. whether the PATIENT was referred by a GENERAL PRACTITIONER or by a hospital-based clinician or other route) and also all settings (i.e. Out-Patient Clinic, WARD, Imaging Department or a type of LOCATION such as a Health Centre). It is recognised that there will be some overlap between PATIENTS reported in this data set and PATIENTS reported in the other waiting times data sets.

How the data set is transmitted

Information is to be submitted onto the Unify2 database that has been developed and maintained by the Department of Health. Full guidance on Unify2 can be found at the following address:
Unify2 Forum

Further guidance

Guidance on extracting the data sets and PATIENT PATHWAYS, including OPCS Classification of Interventions and Procedures, can be found at:
Department of Health - Monthly and Biannual Diagnostics Statistics - Definitions
and NHS 18 weeks - Guidance.