Systems and software suppliers
NHS Classifications Service working with system suppliers
The NHS Classifications Service (NCS) provides products that enable systems and software suppliers to build and maintain OPCS-4 and ICD-10 compliant clinical coding and terminology systems.
The NCS provides the following resources essential for implementation by suppliers as well as other organisations for use in the NHS.
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OPCS-4 eVersion (new in 2011)
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Cross-maps from terminologies (SNOMED CT and Read Codes) to OPCS-4 and ICD-10
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DH Chemotherapy Regimens List and associated clinical coding guidance issued by NHS Classifications Service
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DH High Cost Drugs List and associated clinical coding guidance issued by NHS Classifications Service
These resources are available for download from the Technology Reference Data Update Distribution (TRUD) service subject to registration and acceptance of the terms and conditions. This is the preferred route for issuing essential data files and associated products to the NHS.
Changes to the clinical classifications are approved for NHS implementation by the Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care (ISB). Notice of a change is issued typically as an Advance Notification by the ISB to alert users to an impending update.
Suppliers are advised to check the ISB website for the most up-to-date requirements and a full list of Information Standards Notices.
The NCS strongly recommend that trusts and system suppliers liaise with each other to ensure the smooth implementation of updates to the classifications.
ICD-10 latest development news
The NHS Classifications Service has discovered a number of discrepancies in the printed ICD-10 volumes published by the World Health Organisation.
We have provided the WHO with detail of around 50 discrepancies and they have committed to providing an errata. The WHO will publish the errata on their website.
The discrepancies do not impact the released data files. Where required the changes brought about by the errata will be reflected in the cross-maps and released via the UK Terminology Release schedule as usual.
ICD-10 4th Edition files have been available for download from TRUD since August 2011 for NHS implementation on 1 April 2012 (subject to registration and acceptance of the terms and conditions).
The table below provides the implementation history for ICD-10.
| Implementation on 1 April | ICD Version | Information Standards Board Advance Notification | Information Standards Board Notification or Amendment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979-95 | ICD-9 | - | - |
| 1995-04 | ICD-10 | - | DSCN 02/1993 DSCN 41/94/P07 DSCN 41/94/P28 DSCN 52/96/P43 |
| 2004-12 | ICD-10 Reprinted (with corrections and updates) 2000 | - | DSCN 02/2003 |
| 2012 until further notification | ICD-10 4th Edition (2010) | Amd 86/2010 | Amd 86/2010 (amended) |
OPCS-4
OPCS-4.6 was released on TRUD early January 2011 for NHS implementation on 1 April 2011. The DH Chemotherapy Regimens and High Cost Drugs Lists and NCS clinical coding guidance for 2012/13 are now available for download.
An annual review cycle continues with an expectation that an update will be released every two years subject to business requirements and mandatory approvals.
The table below provides the implementation history for OPCS-4.
| Implementation on 1 April | OPCS-4 version | Information Standards Board Advance Notification | Information Standards Board Notification or Amendment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 31-03-06 | OPCS-4.2 | - | - |
| 2006-7 | OPCS-4.3 | AN 14/2005 | DSCN 04/2006 |
| 2007-9 | OPCS-4.4 | AN 24/2006 | DSCN 10/2007 |
| 2009-11 | OPCS-4.5 | AN 40/2007 | DSCN 30/2008 |
| 2011 until further notice | OPCS-4.6 | AN /1001 | Amd 150/2010 |