The Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT) is a rigorous annual assessment, requiring the Coding department to review 200 patient episodes and demonstrate high levels of accurate coding in four specific areas: primary and secondary diagnosis, and primary and secondary procedure.
According to national data from NHS England, less than a third of 292 NHS Trusts achieved the ‘standards exceeded’ grade in 2024, highlighting its impressive status.
To receive a grade of ‘standards met’, teams must score at least 90% in primary coding and 85% in secondary coding, explained Chris Hill, Clinical Coding Service Manager at DBTH.
He said: “This year our coding team surpassed even these high standards.”
The team achieved 99% in primary diagnosis, 98% in primary procedure, 99% in secondary diagnosis and 98% in secondary procedure.
Chris continued: “These scores are an incredible result for the team and show their professionalism and commitment to delivering the best standard of work for the Trust.”
“They’re honestly the best I have seen in 15 years within Clinical Coding.”
According to NHS England, the DSPT assessment acts as an assurance that those accessing NHS patient data are ‘practicing good data security’ and handling sensitive information correctly.
It does this by comparing the results of an organisation against the ten data security standards upheld by the National Data Guardian for Health & Social Care (NDG), an independent, advisory body sponsored by the Department for Health and Social Care.
Dan Howard, Chief Information Officer at DBTH, said: “I’d like to congratulate our outstanding clinical coding team on this excellent set of results which is testament to their hard work, dedication and attention to detail.
“These results also highlight our Trust’s commitment to continual improvement. Thank you and well-done coding team”
Clinical Coding teams within the NHS are responsible for recording patient information, from referral to discharge, and converting this into codes.
These codes are used by clinicians and other NHS organisations and ensure accurate patient records, proper funding where necessary and provide a basis for research projects to improve healthcare services.