One identity, the right reporting level
We use official CQC and NHS organisation identifiers for joins. Names and similar addresses alone are not enough to transfer evidence from one record to another.
Locations, registered providers, NHS trusts, practices, networks and local populations are separate reporting levels. A measure stays at the level published by its source. We retain explicit relationships so you can follow the wider context.
Ratings are not averaged
We reproduce categorical CQC ratings with their domain, service and publication date. We do not convert them into star scores or average them into an overall grade.
Missing, suppressed, not applicable and stale values are labelled separately. A missing value is never silently shown as zero or treated as a poor result.
Directory counts and geography
Discovery totals include active, publishable locations. A location offering several care types can appear in multiple category totals. Organisation and network profiles are excluded from counts of care locations.
Where CQC identifies dual registrations of a single location, we use the primary record for discovery counts and link secondary records to it. Care home beds are registered capacity, not current vacancies.
Postcode and place positions come from Ordnance Survey open data. Distances are approximate straight-line distances, not driving or public-transport times. An address does not establish a service catchment.
Dates, sources and changes
Every imported record is associated with its source and retrieval information. Performance measures also retain their reporting period and reporting level. An import date is not a new inspection date.
Imports are validated before the active data release changes. If an import fails validation, it does not replace the last published release. Source coverage and update delays are explained in the data register.
Comparisons follow your priorities
A comparison displays relevant evidence side by side. We do not claim that one universal score identifies the best service for everyone. Your care needs, referral options, access requirements and practical preferences need to be considered together.