Main Specialty and Treatment Function Codes

TREATMENT FUNCTION, rather than the Royal College or Faculty specialty, is required on most activity returns and in the Commissioning Data Sets (CDS). It is based on specialty, but also includes approved sub-specialties and treatment specialties used by lead CARE PROFESSIONALS including hospital CONSULTANTS.

The appropriate TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE can be used by any lead CARE PROFESSIONAL eg Intermediate Care as the TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE for a Nursing Episode.

A full list of TREATMENT FUNCTION CODES (Table 2) follows the MAIN SPECIALTY CODES (Table 1).

MAIN SPECIALTY CODES are aligned with the specialties recognised in the General and Specialist Medical Practice (Education, Training and Qualifications) Order 2003 and European Primary and Specialist Dental Qualifications Regulations 1998. Pseudo codes should be used in Commissioning Data Set (CDS) messages for lead CARE PROFESSIONALS other than hospital CONSULTANTS eg Nursing Episode.

For further information, contact the Health and Social Care Information Centre by email at: enquiries@ic.nhs.uk.

Table 1 Main Specialty codes

 CodeMain Specialty Title
Surgical Specialties 
 100GENERAL SURGERY
 101UROLOGY
 110TRAUMA & ORTHOPAEDICS
 120ENT
 130OPHTHALMOLOGY
 140ORAL SURGERY
 141RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
 142PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
 143ORTHODONTICS
 145ORAL & MAXILLO FACIAL SURGERY
 146ENDODONTICS
 147PERIODONTICS
 148PROSTHODONTICS
 149SURGICAL DENTISTRY
 150NEUROSURGERY
 160PLASTIC SURGERY
 170CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY
 171PAEDIATRIC SURGERY
 180ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY
 191 Retired 
Medical Specialties 
 190ANAESTHETICS
 192CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
 300GENERAL MEDICINE
 301GASTROENTEROLOGY
 302ENDOCRINOLOGY
 303CLINICAL HAEMATOLOGY
 304CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY
 305CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
 310AUDIOLOGICAL MEDICINE
 311CLINICAL GENETICS
*312 CLINICAL CYTOGENETICS and MOLECULAR GENETICS (Retired 1 April 2010) 
 313CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY and ALLERGY
 314REHABILITATION
 315PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
 320CARDIOLOGY
 321PAEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
**325SPORTS AND EXERCISE MEDICINE
**326ACUTE INTERNAL MEDICINE
 330DERMATOLOGY
 340RESPIRATORY MEDICINE (also known as thoracic medicine)
 350INFECTIOUS DISEASES
 352TROPICAL MEDICINE
 360GENITOURINARY MEDICINE
 361NEPHROLOGY
 370MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
 371NUCLEAR MEDICINE
 400NEUROLOGY
 401CLINICAL NEURO-PHYSIOLOGY
 410RHEUMATOLOGY
 420PAEDIATRICS
 421PAEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY
 430GERIATRIC MEDICINE
 450DENTAL MEDICINE SPECIALTIES
**451SPECIAL CARE DENTISTRY
 460MEDICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
500OBSTETRICS and GYNAECOLOGY
 501OBSTETRICS
 502GYNAECOLOGY
**504COMMUNITY SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
 510 Retired 
 520 Retired 
 560MIDWIFE EPISODE
 600GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTICE
 601GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE
 610 Retired 
 620 Retired 
Psychiatry 
 700LEARNING DISABILITY
 710ADULT MENTAL ILLNESS
 711CHILD and ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
 712FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY
 713PSYCHOTHERAPY
 715OLD AGE PSYCHIATRY
Radiology 
 800CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (previously RADIOTHERAPY)
 810RADIOLOGY
Pathology 
 820GENERAL PATHOLOGY
 821BLOOD TRANSFUSION
 822CHEMICAL PATHOLOGY
 823HAEMATOLOGY
 824HISTOPATHOLOGY
 830IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
 831MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY
 832 Retired 
**833MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY (also known as MICROBIOLOGY AND BACTERIOLOGY)
**834MEDICAL VIROLOGY
Other 
 900COMMUNITY MEDICINE
 901OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE
 902COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES DENTAL
 903PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICINE
 904PUBLIC HEALTH DENTAL
 950NURSING EPISODE
 960ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL EPISODE
 990 Retired 

Notes:
 Code 500 is not acceptable for Central Returns including Hospital Episode Statistics 
*Code 312 is retained for CONSULTANTS qualified in this Main Specialty prior to 1 April 2010.
**The functionality to report these MAIN SPECIALTY CODES is available in the latest release of the Commissioning Data Sets and the associated CDS-XML Schema Release (6-1-1). These MAIN SPECIALTY CODES cannot be transmitted in XML Schemas for the previous versions of the Commissioning Data Sets (6-0 and 6-1).
  Pseudo MAIN SPECIALTY CODES should be used in Commissioning Data Set messages for lead CARE PROFESSIONALS other than CONSULTANT medical and dental staff eg 560, 950 and 960.
  The MAIN SPECIALTY CODE for GENERAL PRACTITIONERS is General Medical Practice or General Dental Practice
  Joint Consultant Clinic ACTIVITY should be recorded against the MAIN SPECIALTY CODE of the CONSULTANT managing the clinic

Table 2 Treatment Function codes

CodeTreatment Function TitleComments
Surgical Specialties 
100GENERAL SURGERYIncludes sub-categories not elsewhere listed eg endocrine surgery.
101UROLOGY 
102TRANSPLANTATION SURGERYIncludes pre- and post-operative care for major organ transplants except heart and lung (see Cardiothoracic Transplantation). Excludes corneal grafts.
103BREAST SURGERYIncludes treatment for cancer, suspected neoplasms, cysts and post-cancer reconstructive surgery. Excludes cosmetic surgery.
104COLORECTAL SURGERYSurgical treatment of disorders of the lower intestine (colon, anus and rectum)
105HEPATOBILIARY & PANCREATIC SURGERYIncludes liver surgery, but liver transplantation should be recorded in 102 Transplantation Surgery
106UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL SURGERY 
107VASCULAR SURGERY 
110TRAUMA & ORTHOPAEDICS 
120ENTEar, nose and throat
130OPHTHALMOLOGY 
140ORAL SURGERY 
141RESTORATIVE DENTISTRYEndodontics, Periodontics and Prosthodontics are all part of Restorative Dentistry
142PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY 
143ORTHODONTICS 
144MAXILLO-FACIAL SURGERYMouth, jaw and face related surgery.
150NEUROSURGERY 
160PLASTIC SURGERY 
161BURNS CARETo be used by recognised specialist units and associated outreach services only
170CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERYShould only be used where there are no separate services for Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Surgery
171PAEDIATRIC SURGERYThis is paediatric general surgery
172CARDIAC SURGERY 
173THORACIC SURGERY 
174CARDIOTHORACIC TRANSPLANTATIONTo be used by recognised specialist units and associated outreach services only. Includes pre- and post-operative services.
180ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY 
191PAIN MANAGEMENTComplex pain disorders requiring diagnosis and treatment by a specialist multi-professional team
Other Children's Specialties 
211PAEDIATRIC UROLOGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
212PAEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION SURGERYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
213PAEDIATRIC GASTROINTESTINAL SURGERYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff. Includes Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery and Colorectal Surgery.
214PAEDIATRIC TRAUMA AND ORTHOPAEDICSDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff.
215PAEDIATRIC EAR NOSE AND THROATDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
216PAEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
217PAEDIATRIC MAXILLO-FACIAL SURGERYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
218PAEDIATRIC NEUROSURGERYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
219PAEDIATRIC PLASTIC SURGERYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
220PAEDIATRIC BURNS CAREDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
221PAEDIATRIC CARDIAC SURGERYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
222PAEDIATRIC THORACIC SURGERYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
241PAEDIATRIC PAIN MANAGEMENTDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
242PAEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CAREOnly to be used by designated Paediatric Intensive Care Units
251PAEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
252PAEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
253PAEDIATRIC CLINICAL HAEMATOLOGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
254PAEDIATRIC AUDIOLOGICAL MEDICINEDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
255PAEDIATRIC CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY AND ALLERGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
256PAEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASESDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
257PAEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
258PAEDIATRIC RESPIRATORY MEDICINEDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
259PAEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
260PAEDIATRIC MEDICAL ONCOLOGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
261PAEDIATRIC METABOLIC DISEASEDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
262PAEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
263**PAEDIATRIC DIABETIC MEDICINEDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
264**PAEDIATRIC CYSTIC FIBROSISDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
280PAEDIATRIC INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGYDedicated services to children with appropriate facilities and support staff
290COMMUNITY PAEDIATRICSIncludes routine health surveillance, health promotion, behavioural paediatrics and looked-after children. Excludes Paediatric Neuro-Disability.
291PAEDIATRIC NEURO-DISABILITYDedicated services for children with Cerebral Palsy and non-progressive handicapping neurological conditions, with or without learning disability.
Medical Specialties 
190ANAESTHETICSThis can be used in out-patients only. Pain Management should be recorded in 191.
192CRITICAL CARE MEDICINEalso known as Intensive Care Medicine
300GENERAL MEDICINEIncludes sub-categories not elsewhere listed eg metabolic medicine.
301GASTROENTEROLOGY 
302ENDOCRINOLOGY 
303CLINICAL HAEMATOLOGYExcludes ANTICOAGULANT SERVICE see 324
304CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGYPhysiological measurement including ECG (e.g. exercise testing, stress testing), gastrointestinal physiology, cardiac physiology, vascular technology, urodynamics, and ophthalmic and vision science. Does not include Clinical Neurophysiology, Audiology or Respiratory Physiology.
305CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 
306HEPATOLOGYAlso known as liver medicine
307DIABETIC MEDICINE 
308BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATIONPreviously in Clinical Haematology. Includes haemopoietic stem cell transplantation.
309HAEMOPHILIAPreviously in Clinical Haematology
310AUDIOLOGICAL MEDICINEThe medical specialty concerned with the investigation, diagnosis and management of patients with disorders of balance, hearing, tinnitus and auditory communication. Excludes audiology and hearing tests.
311CLINICAL GENETICSTo be used by recognised specialist units and associated outreach services only.
312not a Treatment Function 
313CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY and ALLERGYShould only be used where there are no separate services for Clinical Immunology and Allergy
314REHABILITATION 
315PALLIATIVE MEDICINE 
316CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY 
317ALLERGYThe diagnosis and management of allergic disease (abnormal immune responses to external substances) and the exclusion of allergic causes in other conditions.
318INTERMEDIATE CAREIntermediate care encompasses a range of multi-disciplinary services designed to safeguard independence by maximising rehabilitation and recovery after illness or injury
319RESPITE CARE 
320CARDIOLOGY 
321PAEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY 
322CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY 
323SPINAL INJURIESTo be used by recognised specialist units and associated outreach services only.
324ANTICOAGULANT SERVICEThe monitoring and control of anticoagulant therapy including the initiation and/or supervision of oral anticoagulant therapy and the determination of anticoagulant dosage. This can be used in out-patients only.
325**SPORT AND EXERCISE MEDICINEThe diagnosis and management of medical problems caused by physical activity, the prevention of related injury and disease and the role of exercise in disease treatment.
327**CARDIAC REHABILITATIONRehabilitation service for PATIENTS with or recovering from heart related conditions such as heart attacks or from procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery to ensure that they achieve their full potential in terms of physical and psychological health.
328**STROKE MEDICINEFor stroke services excluding Transient Ischaemic Attack - see TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE 329
329**TRANSIENT ISCHAEMIC ATTACKA multidisciplinary service for rapid diagnosis and treatment of PATIENTS presenting with suspected Transient Ischaemic Attack and mini-strokes to minimise the chance of a full stroke occurring and maximise the chances of independent living after a stroke.
330DERMATOLOGY 
340RESPIRATORY MEDICINEAlso known as Thoracic Medicine
341RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGYPhysiological measurement of the function of the respiratory system. Includes Sleep Studies (the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disordered breathing, including upper airway resistance syndrome and sleep apnoea).
342**PROGRAMMED PULMONARY REHABILITATIONA multidisciplinary programme of care for PATIENTS with chronic respiratory impairment that is individually tailored and designed to optimise the individual's physical and social performance and autonomy.
343**ADULT CYSTIC FIBROSISSpecialised, multidisciplinary service concerned with the diagnosis, assessment and management of PATIENTS with cystic fibrosis. This TREATMENT FUNCTION CODE should be used by recognised specialist centres only.
350INFECTIOUS DISEASES 
352TROPICAL MEDICINE 
360GENITOURINARY MEDICINE 
361NEPHROLOGY 
370MEDICAL ONCOLOGYThe diagnosis and treatment, typically with Chemotherapy, of PATIENTS with cancer.
371NUCLEAR MEDICINE 
400NEUROLOGY 
401CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGYThe study of the central and peripheral nervous systems through the recording of bioelectrical activity. Includes EEG.
410RHEUMATOLOGY 
420PAEDIATRICS 
421PAEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 
422NEONATOLOGYSpecial Care, High Dependency and Intensive Care.
424WELL BABIESCare given by the mother/substitute with medical and neonatal nursing advice if needed
430GERIATRIC MEDICINE 
450DENTAL MEDICINE SPECIALTIESIncludes oral medicine.
460MEDICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY 
500not a Treatment Function 
501OBSTETRICSThe management of pregnancy and childbirth including miscarriages but excluding planned terminations.
502GYNAECOLOGYDisorders of the female reproductive system. Includes planned terminations.
503GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY 
510 Retired Record as Obstetrics, antenatal clinic can be used as a local sub-specialty if required 
520 Retired Record as Obstetrics, postnatal clinic can be used as a local sub-specialty if required 
560MIDWIFE EPISODE 
600not a Treatment Function 
610 Retired Record as Obstetrics 
620 Retired Use the appropriate function under which the patient is treated 
Therapies 
650PHYSIOTHERAPYThe treatment of human function and movement to help people to achieve their full physical potential. The use of physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore wellbeing.
651OCCUPATIONAL THERAPYThe use of specific activities to limit the effects of disability and promote independence in all aspects of daily life.
652SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPYThe assessment, treatment and help to prevent speech, language and swallowing difficulties.
653PODIATRYAlso known as Chiropody. The diagnosis and treatment of disorders, diseases and deformities of the feet.
654DIETETICSThe application of the science of nutrition to devise eating plans for patients to treat medical conditions. The promotion of good health by helping to facilitate a positive change in food choices amongst individuals, groups and communities.
655ORTHOPTICSThe diagnosis and treatment of visual problems involving eye movement and alignment.
656CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGYThe diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioural disorders.
657**PROSTHETICSThe supply of prosthetics for PATIENTS.
658**ORTHOTICSThe supply of orthoses for PATIENTS.
659**DRAMATHERAPYThe use of drama and theatre techniques including role play, voice work and storytelling for therapeutic purposes.
660**ART THERAPYThe use of art techniques including clay, paint and paper for therapeutic purposes and as a means of communication.
661**MUSIC THERAPYThe use of music and all of its facets to help clients to improve or maintain their health.
662**OPTOMETRYThe diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of disorders of the eye and vision care.
Psychiatry 
700LEARNING DISABILITY 
710ADULT MENTAL ILLNESS 
711CHILD and ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY 
712FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY 
713PSYCHOTHERAPY 
715OLD AGE PSYCHIATRY 
720EATING DISORDERSA specialist psychiatric service for the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating.
721ADDICTION SERVICESThe psychiatric prevention and treatment of substance misuse including drugs and alcohol
722LIAISON PSYCHIATRYThe provision of psychiatric treatment to patients attending general hospitals including out-patient clinics, accident and emergency departments and admission to wards. Deals with the interface between physical and psychological health.
723PSYCHIATRIC INTENSIVE CAREThe provision of psychiatric services to vulnerable individuals who are admitted to Psychiatric Intensive Care Units from open acute wards and forensic settings.
724PERINATAL PSYCHIATRYA specialist psychiatric service for the diagnosis and treatment of post-natal psychiatric problems.
Radiology 
800CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (previously RADIOTHERAPY)The diagnosis and treatment, typically with radiotherapy, of patients with cancer.
810not a Treatment Function 
811INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGYNot to be used for diagnostic imaging.
812DIAGNOSTIC IMAGINGThe production and interpretation of high quality images of the body to diagnose injuries and disease, e.g. x-rays, ultrasound, MRI, PET or CT scans.
Pathology 
820not a Treatment Function 
821not a Treatment Function 
822CHEMICAL PATHOLOGYTo be used for clinical management only.
823not a Treatment FunctionSee Clinical Haematology
824not a Treatment Function 
830not a Treatment FunctionSee Clinical Immunology
831not a Treatment FunctionSee Clinical Microbiology
832 Retired  
834**MEDICAL VIROLOGYThe diagnosis and management and prevention of virus and related infections, in hospital and in the community including HIV/AIDS, other blood-borne infections like hepatitis B and C and newly emerging viruses such as SARS and avian flu.
840AUDIOLOGYPhysiological measurement and diagnosis of hearing disorders, and the rehabilitation of patients with hearing loss.
Other 
900not a Treatment Function 
901not a Treatment Function 
950not a Treatment FunctionUse the appropriate function under which the patient is treated
960not a Treatment FunctionUse the appropriate function under which the patient is treated
990 Retired  

Notes:
 Code 500 is not acceptable for Central Returns including Hospital Episode Statistics 
** The functionality to report these TREATMENT FUNCTION CODES is available in the latest release of the Commissioning Data Sets and the associated CDS-XML Schema Release (6-1-1). These TREATMENT FUNCTION CODES cannot be transmitted in XML Schemas for the previous versions of the Commissioning Data Sets (6-0 and 6-1)
 TREATMENT FUNCTION CODES should be used for all aggregate Central Returns unless otherwise stated eg 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