Understanding the data

This section contains information about the format of HES data, the fields it contains and the classification codes that are used.

An introduction to formats, access restrictions and HES fields.

In what form do you require the data for your analyses?

An overview of why there might be fluctuations in the data.

Information about the ICD-10 (diagnoses) and OPCS-4 (procedures and interventions) coding schemes used in HES.

Details of fields collected in HES and a link to the NHS Data Dictionary.

Latest best-practice guidance on handling HES data.