Data Elements are used to identify or indicate the content of data sets. In addition, Data Elements can contain text providing guidance, support, values or other information concerning the Data Element and its usage.

The Data Elements are listed in alphabetical order. Click on a letter in the Data Element menu to display the list of Data Element names for that letter. To display the definition for a specific Data Element, click on the Data Element name.

Each Data Element name is in uppercase. 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 a Data Element:

• "Description" tab: a description of the a Data Element
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• "Where Used" tab: every item where the Data Element is used
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• "Attribute" tab: the Attribute the Data Element is based on
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• 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.
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• HES Item:
  • This is the Hospital Episode Statistics name for the Data Element, e.g. Data Element BIRTH DATE has a Hospital Episode Statistics item name of "DOB".  For further information, see Hospital Episode Statistics Cross Reference Tables.
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• National Codes:
  • An entry in this field indicates that the National Codes or classifications exist for the Data Element (as an Attribute) and describes how to view them e.g. 'Click on the attribute tab to display the attribute that contains the National Codes' or 'See the relevant Attribute'.
  • If there are no agreed National Codes or classifications for the Data Element, the field is blank.
  • A National Code has nationally agreed values for each code which must be used in conjunction with the Data Element whereas for a classification, the classifications will be nationally agreed but will have no nationally agreed values assigned to them. Usually for classifications, the values to be used in conjunction with the Data Element will be contained within Notes: content e.g. see AGE GROUP INTENDED.

• Default Codes:
  • An entry in this field indicates that in addition to the nationally agreed National Codes or classifications, default codes may be used. These default codes normally only appear within Data Elements.
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• Notes:
  • Provides guidance, support, values or other information concerning the Data Element and its usage. Any Attribute name, Class name or Data Element name which appears in the Notes text is in uppercase, any NHS Business Definition appears in Title Case. Where the name also appears in text in a colour other than black, this indicates that it is a clickable link and if clicked on will display the definition for that item.

For further information on Version 3 of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, see About Version 3.