How HSUG can contribute to the development of Official Health Statistics – Andy Sutherland

Outline Standards for Official Statistics The importance of users Who are the users? Engaging with users The role of HSUG now and in the future

Standards for Official Statistics Code of Practice, Principle 1: Meeting User Needs “The production, management and dissemination of official statistics should meet the requirement of informed decision-making by government, public services, business, researchers and the public”

Standards for Official Statistics Principle 1:Meeting User Needs Practices 1.“Engage effectively with users of statistics to promote trust and maximise public value…” 2.Investigate and document the needs of users of official statistics, the use made of existing statistics and the types of decision they inform 3.Adopt systematic statistical planning arrangements, including transparent priority setting, that reflect the obligation to serve the public good. 4.Publish Statistical report according to published timetable that takes account of user needs 5.Publish information about users’ experiences of statistical services, data quality, and the format and timing of reports.

The importance of users Code of Practice, Protocol 1: User engagement “Effective user engagement is fundamental both to trust in statistics and securing maximum public value…”

Official figures are produced without political interference Agree:?? Disagree:?? Neither: 23% The Government presents official figures honestly when talking about its policies Agree:?? Disagree:?? Neither: 26% Source: “Public Confidence in Official Statistics 2009”, R Bailley, J Rofique and A Humphrey, National Centre for Social Research, March 2010 Official figures are produced without political interference Agree:17% Disagree:59% Neither: 23% The Government presents official figures honestly when talking about its policies Agree:14% Disagree:60% Neither: 26% Source: “Public Confidence in Official Statistics 2009”, R Bailley, J Rofique and A Humphrey, National Centre for Social Research, March 2010 Official figures are produced without political interference Agree:17% Disagree:59% Neither: 23% The Government presents official figures honestly when talking about its policies Agree:?? Disagree:?? Neither: 26% Source: “Public Confidence in Official Statistics 2009”, R Bailley, J Rofique and A Humphrey, National Centre for Social Research, March 2010 The importance of users Official figures are produced without political interference Agree:17% Disagree:59% Neither: 23% The Government presents official figures honestly when talking about its policies Agree:14% Disagree:60% Neither: 26% Source: “Public Confidence in Official Statistics 2009”, R Bailley, J Rofique and A Humphrey, National Centre for Social Research, March 2010 Official figures are produced without political interference Agree:17% Disagree:59% Neither: 23% The Government presents official figures honestly when talking about its policies Agree:14% Disagree:60% Neither: 26% Source: “Public Confidence in Official Statistics 2009”, R Bailley, J Rofique and A Humphrey, National Centre for Social Research, March 2010

Who are the users? Public Researchers Patients Public Journalists Government NHS bodies Local Authorities International bodies Volunteer Sector Commercial researchers Commercial intermediaries Lobby groups Political groups

Who are the users? Propensity to argue Commercial Intermediaries researchers policy makers decision makers stakeholdersEU/World Statisticians Interest groups Statistical Experts public Managers lobbyists politicians press Expertise

Engagement with users - methods Summaries of queries received Unsolicited feedback Feedback via assessments Web Feedback forms Consultation responses Dialogue with User groups Dialogue with Expert groups Direct contact eg in response to queries Presentations at meetings, conferences, discussion groups

Engagement with users – understanding uses Analysis of Consultation responses Analysis of research projects Literature searches Analysis of web traffic Dialogue with user groups Dialogue with expert groups

Engagement with users Limitations due to: Resources –Staff –Finance Competing interests –Forced timescales Lack of knowledge of who or how Lack of will Fear of trouble

Role of HSUG now and in the future Providing a forum for debate Encouraging and collating responses to consultations A conduit for two way communication A body to engage with Raising awareness Expert user input Wide user input

Role of HSUG now and in the future “…encourage effective and useful collaboration between the Government Statistical Service and other producers and users of statistics in the health and health services field. “ “…develop public confidence in the production and use of health statistics.”

Role of HSUG now and in the future Continuing to move from a collection of interested parties into a vibrant user community Building trust between the producers and user communities