The Health Statistics Users Group (HSUG) and the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) Official Statistics Section are organising a webinar to discuss user perspectives on the Code of Practice.  This webinar is intended to follow on from the revision of the Code of Practice by OSR (Office for Statistics Regulation) - not within the consultation period, but as part of the implementation and Way Forward - looking at issues from the perspective of a user.
 
A report of the recent Code of Practice consultation has been published by OSR https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/publication/consultation-on-the-code-of-practice-for-statistics-findings-and-next-steps/   This report summarises the findings and next steps. OSR is now moving ahead with the refresh of the Code and is aiming to release the third edition in autumn 2025.  Although the consultation has closed, OSR is open to receiving further feedback as they finalise the Code.
 
This webinar will therefore not look at the Code of Practice directly, but at some aspects of quality and accessibility that are relevant for users, and whether having the Code of Practice can help with these.  It will consider how users and producers can work together to ensure the Code of Practice delivers on its promises, and what are the challenges.
 
To register for this online event, please go to https://rss.org.uk/training-events/events/events-2025/section-groups/hsug-rss-oss-webinar-user-perspectives-on-the-code/#fulleventinfo
There is a registration fee of £10 for non RSS Members.
 
 Programme

1. Statistics Under Pressure: informing decision-making at pace – discussion of the RSS initiative exploring the trade-offs that need to be made in pressurised situations. Deniz Gursul (Campaigns and Policy Manager, RSS).
    
2. View from a local authority on how users and producers can collaborate more effectively in the future to meet the aims of the Code of Practice
    Elisa Bullen ( Manchester City Council).
    
3. Perspective of a user involved in research that draws on official statistics.
   Rachel Plachcinski  (Independent consultant in parent, patient and public involvement in health research)
    
4. The experience in Scotland - issues in relation to PRA (Pre Release Access) which is currently being reviewed.
   Jessica Shields (ScotCen – Scottish Centre for Social Research)
    
5. Penny Babb (OSR) to speak on how the Code might help to meet the challenges that have been raised, and also comment on the planned way forward.

 
The presentations, a meeting report and a recording of the webinar will be posted on the HSUG Community on AnalystX  / Future NHS, and also on the Health and Care group on StatsUserNetwork.  People who are not able to attend on the day will be able to view, and comment on, this material.

 

Contact George Papadopoulos for Health Statistics User Group and Official Statistics Section Group 

Members - free to attend

Non members - £10