Widening access to policy-relevant nursing and midwifery data in the UK
Categories: Data linkage programmes, Policy, ADR Scotland, Health & wellbeing
16 March 2023
For the first time, nursing and midwifery registrant data will be made available for research via the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Secure Research Service. The data can provide vital insights into the current state of nursing and midwifery in the UK and inform policy. This initiative is led by the Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR), part of ADR Scotland.
Data from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is a rich resource which will help us to better understand the current profile of the nursing profession in the UK, such as who enters the nursing workforce, how long they remain in the profession, and geographical differences in retention.
The Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR) has collaborated with the NMC and ONS to make this data linkable and available for the first time to accredited researchers via the ONS Secure Research Service. This will not only support ADR Scotland administrative data researchers to address key policy questions for the benefit of clinical staff and the wider public, but also allow any accredited researcher based in the UK to apply for access to this UK-wide nursing and midwifery data.
This work also offers the possibility of additional linkages between the NMC data and other data, such as the 2021 Census for England and Wales, allowing for further research.
Emma Westcott, Assistant Director of Strategy and Insight at the NMC, said: “We’re committed to using our data and insight to influence the changing environment in which nurses, midwives and nursing associates work, helping to tackle workforce challenges, inequalities and safety risks for people who use services. That’s why we’re pleased to be collaborating with SCADR to make our data more widely accessible to researchers through the ONS Secure Research Service. We welcome any feedback on its value to policy and decision making.”
Dr Iain Atherton, SCADR Co-Director and Health and Social Care Research Lead, and registered nurse, stated: “This work opens up great opportunities to inform policy and enable long-term strategies towards supporting our nursing and midwifery professions.”
To learn about the next stage of this work or get in contact, read the full story on the ADR Scotland website or email scadr@ed.ac.uk.
About the Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR)
The Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR) analyses data from across the public sector, exploring what linking it in new ways can reveal. It is hosted by the University of Edinburgh but involves academic researchers from across Scotland. SCADR together with the Scottish Government forms ADR Scotland, part of the ADR UK partnership.
