Types of Data

Health StatisticsAlthough data on health and healthcare in Wales is produced by many different organisations, here you can find information categorised by the content, rather than the organisation.


Generic resources


'Health Statistics, Wales' is an annual publication prepared by the Welsh Assembly Government (see right information box).
It contains summary text along with graphs and tables that provide information on the health of the population and the range and quality of health care services in Wales.

The Public Health Wales Observatory provides information support to Public Health Wales and other public bodies both within and beyond the NHS. The team produces data and trend analysis, mortality rates, profiles and reports on a number of conditions

 
‘A picture of health’, produced by Public Health Wales, provides a range of health indicators for the public about each Local Authority

Health Maps Wales is an interactive mapping tool which can be used to explore a wide variety of health indicators grouped under broad categories of health such as cancer, common procedures and causes of injury. Data on hospital admissions, births, deaths and child health can currently be compared visually across different areas of Wales.


Data about the people of Wales

The Public Health Wales Observatory are working on a project to deliver health profiles to a national consistency whilst retaining a local perspective. These profiles aim to inform Local Health Boards on the public health issues facing their communities.

Demographic data, such as information on births and deaths are collected by the Office for National Statistics. Some of this information, including information on life expectancy is made available by the Welsh Assembly Government. Information in analysed formats is available from Public Health Wales. Birth and Death data is available via Health Maps Wales.


Health behaviour and illness prevention


The Welsh Health Survey collects information on behaviours that affect health including smoking, alcohol, fruit and vegetable intake and exercise. Uptake of vaccinations and screening services (antenatal, breast, cervical etc.) affect the health of the people of Wales.

The Public Health Wales Observatory are working on a project to deliver health profiles to a national consistency whilst retaining a local perspective. These profiles aim to inform Local Health Boards on the public health issues facing their communities.

Or see individual topic areas for:


Illnesses and health

The primary aim of the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (WCISU) is the systematic collection, analysis and dissemination of information about cancer incidence, mortality and survival within the resident population. Such information is used to make judgements about the demand for screening and treatment, the effectiveness of these services, epidemiological research into the causes of cancer, research into cancer prevention, clinical research and for the education of the public.

The Congenital Anomaly Register and Information Service aims to collect reliable data about congenital anomalies that can then be used to help build up and monitor the picture of congenital anomalies in Wales

The Welsh Health Survey collects information on behaviours that affect health including smoking, alcohol, fruit and vegetable intake and exercise. Uptake of vaccinations and screening services (antenatal, breast, cervical etc.) affect the health of the people of Wales

 



Some data on illnesses will be available through deaths statistics (above) and some is contained in data on deaths. Data on illness collected as part of contact with health services can be accessed below:

 

 

NHS Wales services data


Performance data

The Welsh Assembly Government's Statistical Directorate produces information on NHS waiting times, NHS Beds and their use, delayed transfers of care (where an inpatient in a hospital, who is ready to move on to the next stage of care but is prevented from doing so for one or more reasons), the ambulance service and complaints.

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Other Health outcome data

Numbers of facilities and staff

The Statistics Directorate also produces information about the numbers of general practitioners and practice staff and services, dentists, and staff directly employed by the NHS


Financial data

The Statistics Directorate also produces data on finance and NHS expenditure.


Numbers of patients and activity data


Primary care data is available through the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) statistics part of the General Medical Services Contract and inpatient and day case activity data from The Patient and Episode Database Wales (PEDW)


Other data

The Welsh Local Government Data Unit

The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) replaced the Welsh Index of Socio-Economic Conditions in 2000. Indexes are constructed specifically to identify clusters of people suffering deprivation