We are excited to share several significant updates and enhancements that we have focussed on over the past six months. Firstly, we have introduced several improvements to our application processes to enhance the experience for researchers.
Secondly, we have improved our critical care data and integrated postcode data to open up new project opportunities. In addition, we invite researchers to enquire about data from NHS Lothian hospital systems that we have not yet included in our Metadata Catalogue, which could be highly beneficial for research.
Furthermore, we are delighted to share a new video that highlights how we have improved NHS Lothian’s support for the Cyrenians InReach service that aids those at risk of homelessness. We have also created a new publications list that includes all the articles resulting from research we have enabled.
Please take a moment to enjoy our latest updates and Connect with Us if you want to find out more or start project discussions.
Introducing an improved application process
We have recently introduced several application enhancements, including the production of new standard variable sets to simplify data selection; changes to selecting study populations to give greater control around data analysis; and an updated and more intuitive application form. These improvements combine to make our application process more straightforward.
Improving our application process
Updated critical care data
As part of our programme to respond to data changes in clinical services as well as for projects, we have updated the critical care datasets we host. These critical care data relate to people treated in general intensive care units (ICU), and the majority of specialist ICUs and high dependency units in NHS Lothian. Data are available at three different scales from daily records for audit purposes through to patient-monitoring data captured up to 250 times a second.
Gaining insights from our updated critical care datasets
New opportunities presented by postcode data
We now offer data from two distinct postcode datasets and can advise researchers on which is most suitable for their projects.
The Scottish Postcode Directory provides a thorough history of postcodes and allows linkage to various data including map/geospatial coordinates, health boards, and political constituencies. Currently, our main use of this dataset is to define urban/rural classifications and share these for specific projects. The Scottish Statistics Postcode Lookup provides similar data in an easier to use and more geographically consistent way, but at the expense of historical postcodes.
We are currently assessing the variables within both datasets and will add further options in response to future project needs.
NHS Lothian data beyond our Metadata Catalogue
Our Metadata Catalogue describes the data that we have brought together and quality checked. Additionally, we host further datasets from NHS Lothian hospital systems – including Appointments data and Radiology Orders – that are available to those willing to take on the responsibility to understand the data’s extent and limitations.
What data are available through DataLoch?
Video case study: Assisting NHS Lothian’s support for the Cyrenians’ InReach service
Through close collaboration with NHS Lothian, we have improved the data underlying the Cyrenians InReach service that supports individuals at risk of homelessness. By allowing address data to be updated more accurately and reliably every month – which hadn’t been possible previously – the latest information about emergency-accommodation locations allows Cyrenians to better prioritise where they focus their efforts.
Watch: Supporting individuals at risk of homelessness
Publications list
On our refreshed website, we now have a page dedicated to publications: reports, academic articles, webpages, and other materials related to the projects that have involved our services. Publications can be filtered by theme and explored by keyword searches, so you can see what has been done related to your own areas of interest. If you have recently published an article or report, let us know and we will add it to the list; just email us at dataloch@ed.ac.uk.
The DataLoch Publications page
To find out more about any of our developments, or to open discussions around possible projects, please get in touch:
Connect with Us
