Cancer Outcomes and Services Dataset (COSD)
- Revised COSD Dataset v1.1 now available from Downloads page.
- Updated User Guide v2.0 now available from Downloads page.
- XML Schema now available on request from Downloads page.
- April Newsletter available from Downloads page
What is the COSD?
The COSD replaces the previous National Cancer Dataset as the new national standard for reporting cancer in the NHS in England. It incorporates a revised generic Cancer Registration Dataset (CRDS) and additional clinical and pathology site specific data items relevant to different tumour types.
Data will be submitted from NHS Providers of Cancer Services and will be linked with data from other sources by the National Cancer Registration Service (NCRS) at patient level using NHS number to compile the full dataset.
The COSD has been developed by the NCIN in collaboration with its Site Specific Clinical Reference Groups.
More information on the background of the COSD can be found on the COSD Background webpage.
Implementation
The standard is mandated from 1st January 2013 and applies to all new diagnoses of cancer and all diagnoses of secondary or metastatic breast cancer from that date. All relevant data items within COSD should be submitted within 25 working days of the month of diagnosis or of treatment. The first submission deadline is 7th March 2013.
There will be a phased approach to implementation and initially the core dataset and site specific stage items for all registerable conditions should be submitted, as well as related pathology reports. Further information is included in the specification and guidance documents.
The Information Standards Notice (ISB1521) is available on the ISB website along with the final Specification and Change Papers. XML schema documentation can be requested from cosd at ncin dot org.uk link cosd@ncin.org.uk
Change Notice
A Change Notice is due to be published in March 2013 specifying some minor amendments to the Dataset and Schema following ongoing testing and development. In advance of the formal publication, the revised documentation to support this is available from the Downloads page. Please contact the COSD team if you have any queries regarding this.
Conformance
All Providers are asked to complete a Data Transfer Partnership Agreement in collaboration with their local cancer registry office. This enables Providers to specify key contacts and details of the data they will be submitting directly to the NCRS. (Please contact your local cancer registry office for further details).
Providers are advised to review the Conformance Framework which is available from the downloads page. This document provides an outline of the conformance and quality checking reports to be provided following submission, processes for dealing with any problems in submission and the escalation process if these issues cannot be resolved locally. The reports are currently under development by the NCRS.
Submission Schedule
A submission schedule is now available detailing the dates Providers are required to submit the COSD. The schedule also includes the dates of feedback reports produced by the NCRS via the COSD Conformance Monitoring Feedback Portal.
Support and Documentation
The Implementation Guide available from the Downloads webpage is a useful starting place providing an overview of the processes and main documentation available to support the implementation of COSD.
A number of other documents are also available to support Providers via the Downloads webpage. This includes the revised COSD Dataset (v1.1) and updated User Guide (v2.0) plus amendments, Technical Guide (v0.18), COSD FAQs and the latest edition of the COSD Newsletter.
Implementing the Cancer Outcomes and Services Dataset Information Standard
Mike Richards, the National Cancer Director, has written to update NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts providing cancer services on implementation activities for the Cancer Outcomes and Services Dataset, and to remind NHS providers of cancer services that they should be working to implement the dataset by January 2013. (Read Mike Richards' letter on the DH website.)
Feedback and queries
We welcome comments, queries and requests for further information through the helpdesk (cosd at ncin dot org.uk link cosd@ncin.org.uk
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