The UK Statistics Authority wrote to Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP about Waiting time statistics

16 December 2022 · Sir Robert Chote, UK Statistics Authority

The letter, dated 16 December 2022, replies to correspondence of 9 November 2022. The UK Statistics Authority published it as Response from Sir Robert Chote to Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP – Waiting time statistics. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the UK Statistics Authority wrote

“We understand from PHS that, due to limitations of the current data collection, activity in trolleyed areas of assessment units cannot be differentiated in the data.”

“In addition to the monthly A&E statistics, Public Health Scotland also publishes weekly waiting times statistics, which are often used by the media to report and compare hospital performance against the Scottish Government target.”

“It is not for us to say how hospitals should manage their emergency admissions policies, but the Office for Statistics Regulation has urged PHS to make it clear where this is likely to create difficulties in comparing waiting time statistics across hospitals and boards.”

“The Office for Statistics Regulation will continue to engage with PHS as it does so and as it responds to our feedback on the presentation of its statistics.”

From Sir Robert Chote, UK Statistics Authority, letter of 16 December 2022. Read the full letter.

Correspondence

• The letter it answered: Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP to Sir Robert Chote – Waiting time statistics (9 November 2022)

More on Sandesh Gulhane.

Receipt