ROUTINELY COLLECTED DATA IN NATIONAL AND REGIONAL DATABASES - AN UNDER-USED RESOURCE

Regional and national databases of routinely collected data contain la rge quantities of health information, usually covering whole populatio ns and often spanning prolonged time periods, Using routine data invol ves identifying useful sources, assessing the quality of the data and deciding whether what is available is 'fit for purpose', As long as ad equate care is taken, these data may be used in a number of different ways beyond their traditional uses for population health assessments a nd health service planning.