The Office for Statistics Regulation wrote about Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratios

6 December 2018 · Office for Statistics Regulation

The letter is dated 6 December 2018. The Office for Statistics Regulation published it as Letter from Roger Halliday on Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratios. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the Office for Statistics Regulation wrote

“I have discussed this with Scott Heald, Head of Profession in ISD, which produces the majority of health statistics in Scotland and this letter outlines the steps we have taken to address your concerns.”

“Whilst we took action at that point to address those concerns, in this instance I am content that there has been a genuine oversight in the procedures for drafting press releases.”

“To further assure the analytical robustness of Scottish Government press statements that accompany statistical releases, we will tighten up processes whilst press releases are being drafted, so that an active response is sought from analytical services before issuing.”

“I am content in this case that there was not a deliberate intention to mislead and there has been a genuine oversight at a late stage in our processes for drafting press releases.”

From Office for Statistics Regulation, letter of 6 December 2018. Read the full letter.

Receipt