NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service aims to provide a central authoritative source for approved Information Standards and Data Collections (including extractions) contained within the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, by providing unambiguous definitions and associated guidance.

It is committed to delivering high quality products and services to all users and customers by operating to a set of established editorial principles, best practice standards and work instructions.

The values that underpin the processes and procedures of the service are those of NHS England and the ISO9001 Quality Management System.

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary is for everyone who is actively involved in the collection of data and the management of information in the NHS, for example:

• NHS organisations, for example Acute Trusts, Commissioning Organisations etc 
• System suppliers
• Independent sector providers of NHS funded care
• Department of Health and Social Care
• UK Health Security Agency
• Royal Colleges
• Academic organisations/universities
• Information Standard developers
• NHS England internal teams
• Research organisations

The use of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary is recommended.  It is the definitive reference point for assured information standards which support health care activities in the NHS in England.

For examples of how to use the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, see Demonstrations.

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary is live.

The first editions of the NHS Data Manual and NHS Data Model and Dictionary were published in the 1980s as loose-leaf files. This was moved online in 2005. 

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service does not have a development roadmap. It operates alongside the standards assurance activity presented to the Data Alliance Partnership Board (DAPB).

For more information on how to access this service, see help and guidance.

The content of the NHS Data Model and Dictionary is assured by the Data Alliance Partnership Board (DAPB), which governs and publishes information standards.

Information relating to policies for our service users can be found here:

• Data Dictionary Change Notice guidance 
• NHS Data Model and Dictionary Retirement guidance

The following table shows how to contact us about the NHS Data Model and Dictionary.