TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE is a unique identifier for a TREATMENT FUNCTION.

TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE is recorded to report the specialised service within which the PATIENT is treated.

It is based on MAIN SPECIALTY but also includes approved sub-specialties and treatment specialties used by lead CARE PROFESSIONALS including CONSULTANTS.

TREATMENT FUNCTION, rather than the Royal College or Faculty specialty, is required on most activity returns and in the Commissioning Data Sets.

TREATMENT FUNCTION CODES should be used for all aggregate Central Returns unless otherwise stated e.g. National Workforce Data Set uses MAIN SPECIALTY CODES.

GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTITIONER, NURSE and Allied Health Professional/ Biomedical Scientist/ Clinical Scientist ACTIVITY should be recorded against the TREATMENT FUNCTION under which the PATIENT is treated.

Joint Consultant Clinic ACTIVITY should be recorded against the TREATMENT FUNCTION which best describes the specialised service.

Assigning a Treatment Function Code:

• Assigning a TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE for a SERVICE is a decision which must be made locally. For national reporting purposes, only the TREATMENT FUNCTION CODES listed in the table below must be used.
• Recording of activity according to TREATMENT FUNCTION CODES is not on the basis of the procedure carried out, but should be allocated according to whether a specialised SERVICE exists within the Health Care Provider for that TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE, such as a CLINIC OR FACILITY.
• TREATMENT FUNCTION CODES have not been mapped to procedures or MAIN SPECIALTY.
• TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE should be assigned irrespective of the type of CARE PROFESSIONAL responsible. This is also applicable where the name of the TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE suggests it is limited for use by a particular Healthcare Profession.
• A change in TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE, but no change in responsible CARE PROFESSIONAL, does not initiate a new episode of care. For the Commissioning Data Sets, the ACTIVITY TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE reported should be that which is recorded at the CDS ACTIVITY DATE.

For further information, contact NHS Digital by email at: enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk with the subject "Main Specialty and Treatment Function Codes".

Further information on the scope of each TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE is provided at: Main Specialty and Treatment Function Codes Table.

National Codes:

This attribute is also known by these names:

Context	Alias
plural	TREATMENT FUNCTION CODES