What is the Common Data Set

The common data set is a set of core information to be collected about patients that present with any symptomatic or asymptomatic sexual health issues, e.g. to obtain contraceptive advice, to receive diagnostic tests for suspected STIs or possible pregnancy. 

It will improve communication between providers of integrated clinical services, and will be used in an anonymised form to improve monitoring of the trends and distribution of sexual health problems.

The CDSSH consists of 5 main sections:

• Clinic information, which identifies the clinic/service provider
• Patient information, which records the main patient demographic data
• Attendance information, which records data specific to attendance, appointment process and episode
• Event information, which records key data concerning service provided/reason for attendance.  The three key areas are investigations undertaken, diagnoses, and treatment & care provided.  For greater detail of what is recorded click here
• Sexual history information, which records data to enable assessment of a patient’s risk of STI, unwanted pregnancy or other sexual health problems

The table below shows the dataset items as agreed in February 2006. This dataset is the result of a review of the elements of the original dataset (March 2005) prompted by the results of the first pilot.