Queen's University Belfast

Academic Institute

Economic and Social Research Council

Yes

020

The decennial UK census provides a wealth of information on the size and attributes of the population; among the detailed demographic data collected is a record of the address of usual residents at that time. This presents a rare and valuable opportunity to assess the quality of address information in key administrative data sources, particularly where this information is drawn upon to serve a particular operational or statistical purpose. Address information in the Health Care Register (HCR/NHAIS) informs the estimation of internal migration in NI, which is an important component of the mid‐year population estimates produced annually by NISRA. Meanwhile, the Electoral Register (ER) relies on accurate address information for poll cards to be issued to registered voters in advance of an election. Looking forward, the aforementioned administrative sources, particularly the HCR, are likely to have a key role in future official statistical systems as national statistical institutes (NSIs) adopt alternative data collection methods. Furthermore, for the next UK census in 2021, the respective NSIs will draw upon administrative data to support various elements of the operation such as improving the quality of the address register and the ensuing population estimates. Therefore, the accuracy of address information in administrative data sources such as the HCR is crucial from a number of perspectives; one of the main aims of the proposed research is to undertake a detailed quality assessment in this regard. In addition, analysis of under‐coverage in the HCR can provide an insight on uptake of primary care by migrants and other MEGs in NI, which is of academic, policy and practitioner interest. It is important to investigate if structural barriers (e.g. socioeconomic deprivation, language difficulties) are associated with non‐registration for a health card within the aforementioned groups, so that measures can be targeted to address these issues. The broad aims of the proposed research project are to (i) assess the quality of address information in selected administrative data sources and (ii) examine under‐coverage in the HCR to establish the level of registration among migrants and other MEGs to obtain access to primary care services in NI.

Key to achieving societal benefits from this research is the effective dissemination of findings to relevant organisations, with the aim of encouraging the development and targeting of measures to (i) improve the quality of address information in the respective administrative sources and (ii) promote greater engagement with primary care services among migrants and other MEGs. The quality of address information in the HCR impacts the accuracy of population statistics. Estimation of internal migration in NI, England and Wales is based largely on address changes in patient registration data over successive years. Improved capture, recording and maintenance of address information by GP practices would indirectly contribute to more accurate internal migration estimates and, consequently, the mid‐year population estimates (MYE) that they inform. Given the wide use of MYE for policy, planning and decision‐making purposes, any improvements to their accuracy would ultimately benefit society. An important operational use of the HCR is the provision of address information for the main population screening programmes established in NI, namely breast cancer, bowel cancer and cervical cancer screening. In order to make initial and maintain subsequent contact with members of the target population, it is essential that accurate address information is available; research by Kinnear et al. (2011) on factors affecting breast screening uptake in NI cited inaccurate address information as a likely issue, particularly in large urban centres. An improvement in the quality of address data in the HCR would contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of population screening programmes, which would impart a clear public health benefit. An assessment of address accuracy and under‐coverage in the ER would inform the Electoral Office for NI (EONI) about the quality of these data around the time of the 2011 Census. The proposed research is likely to provide evidence of certain population groups affected by these data quality issues, which would assist the EONI in targeting ongoing improvement initiatives; this would ultimately benefit society and the democratic process. Evidence that helps to promote greater engagement with primary care services amongst migrants and other MEGs would be beneficial in terms of their maintenance of good health and integration in and contribution to NI society. Furthermore, the issue of delayed presentation and the burden on emergency care would likely be decreased (Stagg et al., 2012), which would benefit the operation of the health service.

07/10/2016

TRE