BLOG - Release of new dataset: Nursing & Midwifery Council data linked to Census 2021

We are delighted that we have reached one of our key milestones for 2024, with a newly linked dataset and commencing administrative data research on factors affecting the retention and progression of the nursing and midwifery professions.

The Nursing & Midwifery Council data has been linked to the Census 2021 for England and Wales and it is now available in the Integrated Data Service (IDS). Accredited researchers who apply for access to the NMC dataset from the IDS catalogue, need their applications approved by a committee that includes Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) representation. 

What data is available?

The linked NMC to Census 2021 dataset, brings together data from the NMC's register of nurses, nursing associates and midwives to the 2021 Census for England and Wales. The NMC are legally mandated to hold a register of everyone meeting the standards required to practise across the United Kingdom. Registrant data is available for the whole of the UK with census data relating specifically to those who were usually resident in England and Wales on census night. Cross-sections of the register from 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023 have been linked to the census.

What can the data tell us?

Data from the register includes a range of variables relating to the socio-demographics of the professions, geography, and professional attributes. This enables our research team to analyse the following:

the length of time people have been registered
the country and institution in which they trained
the region where they work and how often they have made geographical moves
any further qualifications attained or progression towards further qualifications.

The census represents the most comprehensive record of the population of England and Wales. Linkage to the NMC register enables for the first time the social circumstances of nurses, nursing associates, and midwives to be ascertained, including:

occupation
housing
caring responsibilities
health
and travel to work.

This gives researchers a fantastic opportunity to develop projects that will for the first time ever be able to ascertain who our nurses, nursing associates and midwives are beyond their professional status. Thus, it encourages researchers to take a wider view of those registered, to consider whether the implications of their health, family or finances are determinants for their professional progression and whether they are staying in the workforce.

Emma Westcott, Assistant Director of Strategy and Insight at the NMC, said:

We’re committed to using our data and insight to support workforce imperatives in health and social care. That’s why we’re pleased to be collaborating with SCADR to make our data more widely accessible to researchers through the Integrated Data Service. We welcome any feedback on its value to policy and decision making.

How to access the dataset

Access to this dataset using the IDS is available to all accredited researchers: someone who is trained, trusted, and approved to access data. Find out how to become an accredited researcher here.

SCADR offers the online ONS Safe Researcher Training (ONS-SRT) course which can form part of the procedure to receive accredited researcher status under the Digital Economy Act 2017 (DEA).

Why are we doing this research?

Our ambition within SCADR is that the analysis of this dataset will inform and support NHS strategy and UK policy development. We aim to demonstrate the value in those who care deeply about their patients and who ensure their professionalism is central to providing a quality health and social care service across England and Wales.

We hope that our research will show what training, support and financial rewards these key professionals are given, and whether there is a need to change any of these, in order to encourage retainment and career progression and potentially improve their lives. Ultimately, this will have benefit for the wider public, who depend on nurses, nursing associates and midwives at times of need, whether for themselves or their loved ones.

We look forward to delivering our first report by the end of this year, and future research this dataset enables. The resulting portfolio will enable a wide range of policy relevant research, to further our goal of realising the potential of this data for the benefit of nurses, nursing associates, midwives, and the wider public.

Iain Atherton, Research Lead at SCADR said

As a nurse in clinical practice I was often aware that colleagues had challenges, such as finding affordable housing near their workplace or incurring additional travel costs, or coping with their caring responsibilities out with work. Often it was these issues that were key to career decisions. Now, thanks to having linked NMC datasets, our analysis can provide the evidence to policy makers on the reasons behind high staff turnover and towards possible solutions.