PPE statistics: statement of compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics
Updated 13 April 2023
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ppe-delivery-statistics-statement-of-compliance-with-the-code-of-practice-for-statistics/personal-protective-equipment-statistics-statement-of-compliance-with-the-code-of-practice-for-statistics
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is publishing quarterly statistics about personal protective equipment (PPE) deliveries. These figures report on the number of PPE items delivered to the health and social care sector in England.
The final publication of these statistics was on 13 April 2023.
Our publications are categorised as experimental statistics and this statement outlines the steps we have taken towards compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.
The code is built around 3 main concepts, or pillars:
- trustworthiness: having confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and data
- quality: data and methods that produce assured statistics
- value: publishing statistics that support society’s needs for information
Trustworthiness
The figures are based on management information from NHS Supply Chain, currently for England only.
To support the government’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this management information is part of the operational management of the delivery service and has been seen in advance by officials.
These statistics have been developed under guidance from the DHSC head statistician. In addition, the Office for National Statistics regularly provides challenge and scrutiny to the robustness of the figures and clarity of the supporting commentary.
These figures are published quarterly on the second Thursday of the month at 9:30am.
Previous releases will remain available to view but the most recent publication will contain the latest information. If revisions occur, then this will be made clear.
Depending on interest and demand, we will consider future plans to release more detailed iterations of these experimental statistics and review the frequency of updates.
Quality
The figures provided are compiled by professional analysts using the latest available data and applying methods using their professional judgement. They have been quality assured by analysts within both NHS Supply Chain and the wider DHSC.
The data presented are derived from NHS Supply Chain management information in response to the coronavirus pandemic. As part of the quality assurance process the figures have been checked for consistency against other published figures in the public domain.
Value
In publishing these data, we aim to provide evidence for ministers, policy makers and external stakeholders on the supply of PPE to the health and social care system in England. Regular collection and publication of these data will over time enable DHSC to gain a clearer picture of the availability of PPE and other supplies vital to infection control in England.
The timeliness of the data allows for regular monitoring of PPE deliveries in England.
Making this information available helps reduce the administrative burden of answering Parliamentary questions, freedom of information requests and other queries on the supply of PPE.
The figures and analysis presented will evolve over time to ensure the most relevant information is included and the needs of stakeholders are met.
These figures were initially published weekly, then monthly and are now published quarterly. We will continuously evaluate the frequency based on need and public interest.