Table 3 Comparison between Discover and CPRD by data element and time period covered

Date of first capture of primary care consultations

Since 2000 (earlier data are available but of poorer accuracy)

Can be 1980s or earlier but depends on practice

Number of registered patients as of Nov 2018

2.3 million approx

11 million (active) approx. Across the UK

Number of participating GP practices as of Nov 2018

361 (out of 366 in the region)

718 in England [ref Kontopantelis 2018, referring to 2017], < 1200 in the UK

Number of participating practices linked to hospital data as of Nov 2018

361

411 in England (75% of participating English practices) [from CPRD website]

Linkage to hospital admissions

Y, all NWL-commissioned activity, inc to hospitals out of the region.

Y, nationally via HES*.

Linkage to ONS mortality data

N (forthcoming)

Y

Linkage to national clinical audits

N

Y. Bespoke and limited e.g. to MINAP; others in progress

Linkage to national registries

N

Y. National cancer registries and related treatment databases

 Patient demographics

Y (only GP-registered pts)

Y (only GP-registered pts)

 Prescribed medications

Y (GP-prescribed plus in-hospital high-cost drugs)

Y (GP-prescribed plus in-hospital high-cost drugs via HES linkage)

 Social care data

Y

N

 Community mental health data

Y

N (unless done within the GP practice)

 Ambulance activity

N (coming soon)

N

 Staffing

Y (e.g. practice and hospital)

N (can be requested by practice, but with some loss of information to preserve practice anonymity)

 NHS 111

N (coming soon)

N

 Healthcare costs as distinct from tariffs

Y (commissioner prices – see Appendix for details)

N

 Private primary care

N**

N**

 Private secondary care

N

N

 Private social care

N

N

Wider determinants of health (crime, deprivation, pollution, education etc)

N, but area-level deprivation scores can be linked by user

Y: Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) linked to practice and patient via their postcode