The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Constitution and Functions) and the Health and Social Care Information Centre (Functions) Regulations 2013

Publication following assessment

28.—(1) When the assessment of an application made pursuant to regulation 26(1) has been completed, the Information Centre must prepare an indicator specification.

(2) An indicator specification may include—

(a) the purpose of the quality indicator, in particular what it is to be used for;

(b) the sources of data to be used in producing the quality indicator;

(c) the methodology to be used in constructing the quality indicator;

(d) guidance for interpreting the quality indicator, including about criteria that indicate a better quality outcome;

(e) the appropriate frequency for the use of the quality indicator;

(f) the arrangements for publication of the quality indicator;

(g) any concerns expressed by the persons referred to in regulation 27(1) about—

(i) the quality of the data sources mentioned in sub-paragraph (b); or

(ii) the methodology;

(h) the arrangements for review of the quality indicator to be carried out by the Information Centre or another person; or

(i) any other information that the Information Centre considers relevant.

(3) The Information Centre must publish in the repository referred to in regulation 25(2)(a)—

(a) the application referred to in regulation 26(2);

(b) any recommendation made pursuant to regulation 27(3); and

(c) the indicator specification prepared pursuant to paragraph (1).

(4) The Information Centre may make arrangements to ensure that an obligation of confidence owed in relation to confidential patient information published, or confidential information that is published, in the database of quality indicators is respected.