PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Medical Records: Ethnic Groups (15 July 2022)

The National Health Service Data Model and Dictionary reflects the latest approved Information Standard for the data submission of ethnicity categories in the NHS, using the Office for National Statistics’ 2001 categories. The content of these categories is updated when the Information Standards are amended.

The NHS Data Model and Dictionary Service has contributed to a project to update these Standards. The project is currently finalising a report supporting the development of a ‘Unified Information Standard for Protected Characteristics’. This project is considering the update to the 2001 ethnicity categories and other protected characteristics described in the Equality Act 2010.