The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) has today published its report: Improving health and social care statistics: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for health and social care statistics to command public confidence and enhance public understanding. This supports individuals to make informed decisions and hold their governments to account.
The report states that the efforts of those producing health and social care statistics in the pandemic have been remarkable, with producers reacting impressively to an unprecedented rise in demand for statistics.
The report recommends that strong leadership, transparency, and investment – in data sharing and linking, data infrastructures, and analytical resource – are required in order to build on the achievements of the pandemic and overcome existing challenges.
Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, Sir David Norgrove, commented:
“This report gives the opportunity to cement the many statistical successes of the pandemic. By promoting a collaborative and transparent approach to data, and the independence of statisticians, we can both maintain public trust in statistics and improve public confidence in the decisions that affect us all. COVID-19 showed the need for a more coherent picture of the health of our citizens and the healthcare services they have access to. Plugging the gaps in our knowledge can only be achieved through commitment to data sharing between the many bodies responsible, and their investment in analytical resources.
OSR’s recommendations should help senior leaders in government and the health and care sector to work together more effectively, using statistics to serve the public good.”
Related Links:
Sir David Norgrove to Humza Yousaf MSP – OSR Covid Lessons Learned report
Sir David Norgrove to Baroness Eluned Morgan MS – OSR Covid Lessons Learned report
Sir David Norgove to Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP – OSR Covid Lessons Learned report
Sir David Norgrove to Robin Swann MLA – OSR Covid Lessons Learned report