Files Available
- Metadata files are used by the NHS to validate data. The files facilitate data consistency and quality. The files are:
- Diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases (ICD))
- Frozen Postcode Directory
- Country Pseudo Postcodes
Format of Metadata Files
The following pages give the record layouts and data content for the Operation and Country Pseudo Postcode metadata files.
Country Pseudo Postcode File Data Content
This file contains about 130 records. The usual country of residence for short term Overseas Visitors is derived from the country pseudo postcode. The codes are available in electronic format on the NHS Postcode Directory ("Gridlink version").
The expanded area code field contains the country of birth code in characters 1-4 (a repeat of the characters 3-6 in the pseudo postcode). The remainder of the expanded area code is blank except for codes 993C (UK nos) and 993V (no fixed abode) where characters 5-7 are 9space9.
COUNTRY PSEUDO FILE RECORD LAYOUT
Start Pos Size Data Type Field Description 1 11 X selection indicators 12 6 X 6 digit postcode (POSTSIX) 18 1 A 7th digit 19 6 X filler 25 50 X name of country 75 5 X filler 80 19 X area details 99 154 X filler