This page gives you the following information about Fingertips:

• explains how areas are managed in Fingertips
• lists a log of the changes to areas, area grouping options and other changes around geographies

Area code is key

Each area is identified by an area code. If available, the 9-digit the Office for National Statistics (ONS) code is used. NHS Organisation Data Service (ODS) codes are used for NHS organisations that do not have an ONS code. The main sources are:

• Geoportal statistics 
• Organisation Data Service

For certain very specific area types where no official codes are given, we created our own Fingertips codes. Area codes are also part of the URL. 

Area names can change

Each area has also a name (label) but this can change over time and only one version is stored. For example, if a partner in a GP practice whose name used to be in the practice name retires, the practice may keep the code but change the name. The current name will be applied to the code throughout Fingertips, including data for periods before the name change..

If the code is the same, for Fingertips the area is the same

Sometimes, in the process of an organisational merger, one of the codes is retained and is then applied to the new, larger entity. This can generate misleading time series, because two different organisations use the same code. We try to address substantial changes with value notes (asterisk next to the data with explanation on hover over) but there is no guarantee that such a change can be picked up in the data preparation process. The user must consider whether there may have been organisational changes that might cause a step change in time series data.

Management of new area types and areas

We try to make new areas available as quickly as possible. However, in some situations when an area type is new and not very stable, we make the decision not to include the areas in Fingertips yet or may decide not to follow each change but stick to longer intervals to be able to provide some stability in the data.

GP practices are subject to frequent and sometimes quite complex change processes. Lists of GP practices included in Fingertips is given in Inclusion rules and list, which also explains how this list is managed.

Indicator owners are not obliged to use the latest geography, so displays can lag behind

The area type plus time period define which areas are listed

Local authorities (LAs) and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are amongst the most important organisational structures in Fingertips, and there are changes almost every year.  This makes maintaining and presenting data very difficult, because it is not always possible to calculate all indicators for all versions of the geographical breakdowns.

When selecting LAs or CCGs in Fingertips, a time period must also be selected: by default the current configuration will be shown, but more data may be available for previous configurations of LAs or CCGs. For example, “Counties & UAs (2021/22-2022/23)” or “CCGs (from Apr 2021)”.

Back-filling data for completeness

Due to auto-aggregation and backfill processes, we are often able to provide back-series for geographical areas for periods before they became a formal identity. For example, if there’s a valid method and available data, we have values for new Unitary Authorities (UAs) for times when they were still split into districts because we can aggregate from smaller area data to be able to provide trend lines.

Change Log (since April 2021)