Information Services Division

The Information Services Division (ISD) is the part of NHS Scotland that provides health information, health intelligence, statistical information and analysis.[1] ISD is part of the Public Health and Intelligence Strategic Business Unit of Public Health Scotland.[2]

From January 2015, ISD has published health statistics weekly, spreading the publications out more evenly across the year.[3]

ISD is headed by Phil Couser (Director, Information Services)[4] In 2011 there were 3 main groups attending to core work:[5]

• Healthcare Information Group - directed by Joan Forrest - analyses hospital, general practice, prescribing and other nationally consistent data;
• Epidemiology and Statistics Group - directed by Fiona Murphy - compiles national statistics on cancer and substance abuse;
• Data Intelligence Group - director Anne Leigh-Brown - ensures submission of current data streams and develops new ones.

There are also a number of specialist programmes. These include:[6]

• Cancer information;
• Dental informatics;
• Equality and diversity information;
• Health and Social Care information;
• Heart disease and Stroke;
• Mental health;
• National Medicines utilisation unit;
• NHS Resources;
• Performance management (HEAT);
• Primary Care information;
• Quality improvement;
• Scottish Public health observatory;
• Substance misuse;
• Unscheduled care;
• Waiting Times;
• Workforce programme.

Two major internal change programmes are under way. The Scottish Health Information Service - headed by Steve Pavis - is establishing data warehousing and associated services. Delivering our Future - led by Lorna Jackson - is drawing-up a blueprint for the future of the organisation and catalysing staff and organisational development to realise that vision.

Information Services Division became part of Public Health Scotland on 1 April 2020. This new agency is a collaborative approach by both the Scottish Government and COSLA to give effect to the recommendations of the 2015 Public Health Review.[7]