NHS England » Making data count

These practical, interactive guides are suitable for those working at all levels in the NHS, from ward to board, and will show you how to make better use of your data.

How to make it count

Measurement approaches popular in the NHS such as red, amber, green (RAG) tables have many limitations for good decision-making. You will learn that better decisions are made when data plotted over time is considered and the benefits of doing this by creating SPC charts.

Making data count — getting started

In our first guide, we encourage analysts and decision-makers to work together to ensure the most relevant data is presented in the most effective way.

Our collection of resources will empower you to build your knowledge to be able to construct and interpret statistical process control (SPC) charts. You can practise doing this by using our guide to work through the scenarios and exercises.

Making data count — getting started

This guide is designed to support people working in the NHS to make the best use of their data to inform judgements and decisions for action.

Making data count — strengthening your decisions

This second guide will strengthen your confidence in using SPC for analysis and effective decision-making — helping you to make the very best use of your data. You can hear from people working in the NHS about the benefits of moving to SPC and test out your new knowledge by working through the scenarios and exercises.

Making data count — strengthening your decisions

This guide will address your concerns about switching to SPC analysis and show you how to produce an easily digested summary report. It also provides tips on enhancing your SPC charts to pull out the key messages and guidance on when process limits should be recalculated.