Please note that the National Workforce Dataset (NWD) is based upon, and also known as, the National Workforce Data Definitions (NWDD).

Status

Further updates to the National Workforce Dataset (NWD) were formally approved by the Information Standards Board (ISB) at the end of November 2011. Prior to these changes, the previous changes were approved in both November and June 2010 and earlier in March 2009.

Information Standards Notice (ISN) AMD 30/2011 outlines the details of these latest changes and builds upon the previous ISNs 165/2010 and 109/2010 and Data Set Change Notice (DSCN) 06/2009 which detail the changes approved back to March 2009.

In April 2008 the National Workforce Data Definitions (NWDD) v2.0 was approved by the Information Standards Board (ISB) as an Inherited Standard. For further details please see DSCN 10/2008.

NWD definitions have been incorporated within the NHS Data Model and Dictionary. This enables the definitions to be available to a wider audience for reference so that workforce-related data can be recorded consistently.

Background

The National Workforce Data Definitions was developed in partnership with all key stakeholders across the workforce planning community, following comprehensive consultation and testing exercises over many years. It is based upon the original Körner review of workforce information (1984), the Workforce Data Manual (1995), and Department of Health central returns.

The NWDD sets out common definitions for those data items that are needed to support workforce planning for the NHS workforce, and is a reference tool with an agreed set of data definitions for people who plan workforce at strategic / national and local level.

The purpose of this standard is to make the NWDD definitions available to a wider audience so that workforce-related data will be recorded consistently, and the need for duplication of items in systems is reduced. The changing nature of the provision of 'NHS' care is leading to plurality of supply, and therefore a workforce dataset will ensure that all suppliers provide workforce information in an agreed and pre-determined format.

It is the standard on which NHS workforce data central returns are based, and it provides collectors of data with the definitions they should use when contacting the NHS for information.

The NWDD contains values that will be available with the roll out of the Electronic Staff Record and organisations can use it to map their current data to the new values required within ESR.

Dataset Documentation

For further information about the National Workforce Dataset (NWD), including the dataset specification, guidance for implementation and support arrangements, please see the document download page.

Queries and Support

If you have any comments or questions regarding the data set or require additional support, please do not hesitate to contact The NHS Information Centre mailbox enquiries@ic.nhs.uk (please include 'NWD' in your subject line).

To ensure that the data set remains consistent with policy and is fit for purpose, there will be a formal process of review and change management put in place. Any requests for changes should be forwarded to the NHS Information Centre Enquiries mailbox.