User engagement

The NHS IC engages with users of Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) data in many ways to ensure its products meet the requirements of all users. There are many ways in which users can access HES data and request further assistance, clarification or bespoke analysis.

Every user can access data via this dedicated website. Information is provided for the following HES datasets:

• inpatients
• maternity
• outpatients
• A&E;
• critical care.

On the website, users will find a wide variety of analyses of HES data, including where patients are treated, how long they wait for treatment and what they are treated for.

Following user feedback, interactive provider level analysis tables are available for all HES datasets. This builds on the success of the A&E; provider level analysis first published in January 2009.

Where possible, we have tried to incorporate user feedback and ensure these tables are accessible and useful to a wide-ranging audience; however, we acknowledge that they will not meet the individual needs of all users. Should there be a specific area of interest you would like to see, please contact us at [email protected] and provide feedback.

There are additional methods by which users can access data above and beyond that provided in the freely available published tables.

HES is a rich and detailed dataset. Given the huge number of combinations of fields within HES, it is only possible to publish a limited number of analyses. If a user can't find the data they need on HESonline, it is possible to order a bespoke analysis of HES data. There are three factors that categorise this service that we offer:

• whether you want the dataset at individual episode level or want it aggregated in a table
• whether the dataset includes sensitive fields
• whether the dataset includes patient identifiers.

Bespoke analyses are available via the Request a tailor-made area.

Users in the NHS family requiring regular bespoke analyses are able to access and analyse data directly, following completion of the compulsory training course. Details of this course can be found on The IC's website.

In order to continually meet the needs of these users, we hold bi-monthly meetings to discuss issues surrounding HES, such as data improvements, data quality and detailing any upcoming changes that would impact users.

Within the monthly publications we provide a specific topic of interest each month, thereby providing additional bespoke analysis from HES data. The topic of interest pages can be accessed via the monthly HES page, either within the current month or the archive. Special topics are also covered in each monthly publication and we welcome suggestions via the contact us section of HESonline as to which topics users would like to see covered in future months.

In addition to our monthly and annual publications, we also provide media and parliamentary question responses. This additional information is generally published in the public domain.