Improving data quality in the NHS: annual report on the Payment by Results (PbR) assurance programme 2010

This report summarises the results of the PbR data assurance programme since it began in 2007. It finds that the accuracy of clinical coding has improved since 2007, with the error rate dropping from 16% to 11% in three years. However, wide variation still exists between the best and worst performing trusts. To continue to improve data quality, the report makes a series of recommendations for primary care trusts and NHS trust to consider. (Audit Commission - press releases)