The Office for Statistics Regulation wrote to Jess McGregor and Julie Billett about COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management information published by Public Health England

24 July 2020 · Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation

The letter, dated 24 July 2020, replies to correspondence of 24 July 2020. The Office for Statistics Regulation published it as Ed Humpherson response to Jess McGregor and Julie Billett: COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management information published by Public Health England; it links to 1 official record. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the Office for Statistics Regulation wrote

“We agree with your concerns and, whilst the information presented has been compiled at speed with the intention of transparency, there are a lot of important details about the types of setting that have been lost.”

“The dataset is released with granular information at the local authority level, which would be of great use to stakeholders; however, the misleading use of the term “care home” in this context gives the data less utility than it should have.”

“We agree there is an erroneous calculation of proportions, using mismatching numerator and denominator data.”

“We agree with your concern that the presentation as it stands makes it difficult to identify whether a region has supported living facilities with repeated outbreaks which may require further interventions and support.”

From Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation, letter of 24 July 2020. Read the full letter.

Records the letter links to

• COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management information

Correspondence

• The letter it answered: Jess McGregor and Julie Billett to Ed Humpherson: Public Health England Care Home Management Information (24 July 2020)

Receipt