Recent changes to the way NHS data is supplied may prove to be an unexpected headache for many data consumers, but not for Astun Data Services (ADS) customers.
Changes to NHS data
Until recently, NHS data was provided in CSV format, complete with lat long co-ordinates. Changes in the way the data is supplied, including the removal of lat long, mean that the data now requires significant processing to be usable by consumers, such as local authorities.
Solving the issue for ADS consumers
Unfortunately, GIS teams rarely have spare capacity for additional data processing, but this isn’t an issue for ADS customers. Elena Robu, Data Services Engineer, explains, “We’re committed to providing our ADS customers with NHS data, no matter how challenging this becomes! Our experts now geocode NHS data using UPRNs, where available, ensuring customers can continue to consume current data via desktop GIS systems and public web maps. Some elements are manually processed to ensure data quality, however we don’t pass any additional costs onto ADS customers”.
Benefits for clients
Customers in England will see little change, with data variation primarily depending on the presence of UPRN information. However, this marks a major shift for our customers in Wales. Previously excluded from syndication feeds, Welsh customers often had to source data manually from other sources, like the NHS 111 service. While Astun’s NHS syndicated data now fills this gap, Darren Fennell, Account Manager, notes a technical caveat: ”The DSE portal data lacks direct geospatial references. We are now heavily reliant on UPRNs to map these records, and where those UPRNs are missing, we simply can’t place the data on a map”.
The screenshots below show the coverage comparison for Wales, the ‘old’ feed is represented in red.
How to access the new NHS data
Our existing ADS customers will benefit from the new data without making any changes to their current set-up, as our teams are working hard to ensure a smooth transition. The URL already in use by iShare Studio ETL will continue to work, but will be automatically redirected to use the new data.
However, if, like us, you like to cross all your Ts and dot your Is, Gavin Kelly, Customer Support Analyst, explains how to update your iShare GIS URL to the new service in this short video.
We advise our customers to check their GIS layers or map source names for old references to the defunct ‘NHS Choices’ service and update these to the new naming convention (NHS DSE).
New installations of iShare GIS will have the new service pre-configured using the correct URL.
Additional information and guidance about the new NHS data
To access layer metadata and previews, run a GetCapabilities request on the WFS service. The relevant links to Astun’s data discovery catalogue are tucked inside the <Abstract> section of the response.
Guides for setting up new iShare GIS layers for the service and other useful information can be found in Astun’s iShare Help.
New to ADS? Here’s what you need to know
ADS provides a cost effective and resource free alternative to translating, storing, updating and serving base mapping data to internal and public users. Syndicated crime, NHS and education data is available as OGC WFS Services. ADS is available as part of iShare GIS under G-Cloud.