Hospital Information Branch (HIB) is responsible for the collection, quality assurance, analysis and publication of timely and accurate information derived from a wide range of statistical information returns supplied by the HSC Trusts and Hospitals.

All statistics produced by HIB are designated as ‘Official Statistics’ and some of our statistics are designated as ‘National Statistics’, which means that they are produced in accordance with the arrangements set out in the Framework for National Statistics and in line with the 8 principles and 3 supporting protocols set out in the UK Statistics Authority's Code of Practice for Official Statistics. Official statistics, as set out in Section 6 of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007, are statistical outputs which are intended to inform politicians, officials and the wider public about the national position on specific topics on an ongoing basis, are governed by the Statistics Code.

The UK Statistics Authority, which was established as part of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007, is now responsible for the development and maintenance of a Code of Practice for Statistics which sets out the professional standards which official statisticians are expected to meet.  Guidance from the National Statistician assists statisticians and other officials in implementing the principles of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

As well as complying with the Code of Practice and its supporting Protocols, all of our National Statistics are also produced and published in accordance with the following statements and policies.

Hospital Information Branch (HIB), within the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI), conducted a National Statistics consultation on proposed changes to the methodology and source of data used to collect and compile official inpatient and day case admissions and to change the format and content of the annual Hospital Statistics publication.  This consultation began on 22nd March 2010 and closed on 14th June 2010.

A summary document outlining the responses to the Consultation and the final outcome is available below.

There are currently no breaches reported.