The RSS has issued a response to a major consultation on health and social care statistics, opposing cuts to these statistics until after the publication of Sudlow review, which will map healthcare statistics across the UK. While the Society supports the suggestion of presenting more health and social care statistics in a dashboard or interactive tool format, the response highlights a number of important concerns in this regard.
Focusing on the importance of data accessibility, user engagement and public consultation in shaping the statistical landscape, the response also highlights the need to ensure accessibility standards are met and that no cuts are made to public statistics in order to make this step forward a reality.
The Society further suggests the following points for consideration:
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A ‘public statistics’ approach should be fostered that prioritises user needs and public demand, supporting informed decision making and accountability
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Concern over proposed cuts to health and social care statistics before the completion of the Sudlow review, with a preference for linking the approach taken to the review’s recommendations
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The continuing importance of health and social care statistics post-Covid, calling for ongoing development and improvement in social-care data and mental-health statistics
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The broader societal and economic implications of health statistics, urging recognition of these interdependencies in statistical systems and policy
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That public statistics should be created collaboratively with users and should be clearly and transparently communicated between departments and agencies, as well as with the public, to ensure relevance and usefulness from the start.
In summary, the response recommends waiting for the results of the Sudlow review before making significant changes. It finally reiterates the importance of a public statistics approach in undertaking the expansion of health and social care statistics dashboards.
Read the full response.