New linkage of nursing and midwifery data paves the way for future insights
Categories: ADR Scotland, Health & wellbeing, World of work, Impact, Potential
20 November 2024
As part of the ADR UK Annual Report 2023 - 2024, we gathered examples of impactful work from across the ADR UK partnership. This case study describes the public good potential of a new data linkage led by ADR Scotland, which enables insights into the nursing and midwifery professions. To read more stories of impact, visit the impact section of the annual report.
An ADR Scotland-led project has, for the first time, linked a national professional register – the Nursing and Midwifery Council - to the latest 2021 Census for England and Wales. This demonstrates the potential of administrative data to facilitate a better understanding of key occupational groups and support informed policy decisions. One ambition is to act as a pathfinder to enable similar linkages in other sectors.
The project is the result of an innovative collaboration between the Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR), the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It also marks the first new ADR UK linked dataset to be added to the Integrated Data Service, which is being delivered by the ONS. This could enable linkage to other data..
SCADR researchers have worked closely with Nursing and Midwifery Council analysts, sharing their knowledge of censuses, administrative data, coding expertise, a knowledge of ‘R’ (a programming language) and geographic indices to support preparation of the data and its use for research purposes.
Policy-driven research
Workforce capacity challenges are a timely topic to explore. There are currently over 800,000 nurses, nursing associates and midwives in the UK. Their work is key to health and social care but there is much we don’t know about these vital professions. Initial analysis of the data is underway, aiming to address evidence gaps including learning about the occupations taken up by registrants, and the social dimensions of recruitment and retention.
The project team has a well-established advisory group made up of partners and representatives from across the UK, including the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives, the Queen’s Nursing Institute and Chief Nursing Officers. They help to share research priorities and ensure that research insights inform policy and practice.
Further investment
The data will be used as part of a study evaluating the 50,000 nurses programme. As an ADR UK flagship dataset, it was included in the scope for applications for the most recent round of ADR UK Research Fellowships funding.
The team intends to set up similar linkages with Scotland and Northern Ireland censuses.
Caroline Kenny, Head of Research and Evidence at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to develop a richer understanding of professionals on our register and to use it to influence the wider health and care sector in a way that improves people’s health and wellbeing.
“We’re keen to collaborate with researchers to help further their understanding of nursing and midwifery, so that they in turn can help us enhance how we regulate professionals, and support them to provide safe, effective and kind care.”
To find out more about developments across ADR UK this year:
