Consistent and safe recording of person characteristics

In 2024–25, PRSB was commissioned by NHS England to identify the information requirements for key person characteristics in clinical practice.

This work supports the development of data items to ensure these characteristics are consistently recorded in electronic patient records, contributing to the Single Patient Record announced by the Secretary of State.

The project focused on age, disability and impairment, gender identity, gender reassignment, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race and ethnicity, religion or belief, and sexual orientation—covering the nine protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 plus gender identity. It addressed critical issues such as the inconsistent use of sex and gender in clinical systems, the need for more detailed ethnicity recording for clinical care, and safeguarding important medical history for patients who change gender.

PRSB worked closely with the Federation for Informatics Professionals (FEDIP) and consulted widely with clinicians, chaplains, and representatives from patient organisations to understand the data needed to inform safe and personalised care. The consultation included an Expert Reference Group, 24 interviews with clinicians and people with lived experience, and a survey with responses from 153 clinicians and 89 chaplains.

Key recommendations from this work included exploring additional risk factors for vulnerable patients, clarifying which information should be permanently visible in records alongside age and sex, and developing guidance and training for staff on recording and explaining these data. NHS England is now planning the next phase, taking forward these recommendations to improve patient safety, data quality, and care delivery.