Data collection, monitoring and the minimum dataset

The Minimum Dataset (MDS) is for recording the core data required for anonymous national monitoring of clients who access Scottish NHS Board specialist smoking cessation services, take part in a stop smoking intervention, and who set a quit date with the service during the course of the intervention. The MDS is part of PATH's data collection and monitoring work, which has the following objectives:

to promote good practice in data collection for smoking cessation services
to develop a strategy for the national monitoring of smoking cessation services
to support smoking cessation services with data collection, evaluation and monitoring
to offer guidance to smoking services on using client data in accordance with data protection and related legislation
to support the development of smoking cessation information and research strategies

On this page you can: download the MDS forms, guidelines for use and background documents; find out more about the electronic smoking cessation database; and learn about data protection and client confidentiality.

Minimum Dataset downloads

The Minimum Dataset (January 2009) - for use/adaptation by specialist services (.doc)
Community Pharmacy Smoking Cessation Service: MDS Form (January 2009) - for pharmacists involved in provision of stop-smoking support (.doc)
Additional Pharmaceutical Services: Public Health Service (PHS) - Updated Claim Form for Patient Service Programmes (May 2010) - this circular advises community pharmacy contractors and Health Boards of an amendment to the claim form to be used by contractors providing PHS patient services including smoking cessation (.pdf)
Guidelines for Using the Minimum Dataset (May 2009) - essential reading on the items included in the MDS (.pdf)

Further information & background on the MDS

Minimum Dataset background, rationale and FAQs - March 2010 (.pdf)
MDS Expert review group report - July 2008 (.pdf)
Definition of Specialist Smoking Cessation Services Sept 2006 (.doc)
Report of Recommendations on Data Collection, Monitoring, and Evaluation December 2004 (.pdf)

National database

To capture the information in the MDS, and a wide range of other client data, a national, web-based smoking cessation database has been developed by NHS Scotland's Information Services Division (ISD) and is available for use by smoking cessation services.

Database guidance:

ISD guidance on using the electronic cessation database - January 2009 (.pdf)

Database news and downloads:

In March 2006, ISD launched a redeveloped version of the database, incorporating additional database functionality (such as statistical reports and letter generation) as well as enhanced screen layout and design to improve the look and usability of the system. ISD have set up a test site where you can view the database and enter dummy data.

NHS Smoking Cessation Service Statistics (Scotland) 1st January to 31st December 2009 released 25th May 2010
NHS Smoking Cessation Service Statistics (Scotland) 1st April 2008 to 31st March 2009 released 15th December 2009.
NHS Smoking Cessation Service Statistics (Scotland) 1st January to 31st December 2008 released 26th May 2009.
In 2008 Cheryl Heeley, ISD Scotland, produced detailed exploratory analysis of Scotland-wide smoking cessation information for 2007 as part of her MSC Public Health Research at Edinburgh University. A summary paper highlighting some of the key results can be downloaded here.
NHS Smoking Cessation Service Statistics (Scotland) 1st January to 31st December 2007 released 25th March 2008.
The first statistics (from 2006) from the national smoking cessation database/national smoking cessation monitoring in Scotland were published on 26th March 2007 and are available on the Scottish Public Health Observatory's website.

Data protection and client confidentiality

PATH has developed best practice guidance on how users of the MDS and electronic smoking cessation database should gather and use client data.

The Data Protection Act (1998), The Caldicott Principles for Patient Confidentiality and the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (2002) all apply to, and protect the use of, client data - this document helps smoking cessation services interpret what the legislation means in relation to use of client data.

Using client data: data protection, client confidentiality and access to information November 2006 (.doc)