if you are unable to view this email please click here to view online.

From the UK Terminology Centre

Welcome to the UKTC newsletter. This provides an insight into content in the April 2015 release of the clinical terminology as well as updating you on work currently under development in relation to SNOMED CT and dm+d.

The National Information Board's (NIB) publication of the policy document ‘Framework for Action’ (Nov 2014) marked a significant milestone for terminology as it re-enforced the requirement for the NHS to migrate to a single terminology of SNOMED CT and use dm+d for medicines and devices. Timeframes to achieve this are detailed and are becoming critical to enable information to flow throughout the NHS. We will keep you updated on progress through the newsletter.

We are also interested in receiving ideas for future content; or if you have any news in relation to your own use of SNOMED CT and/or dm+d that you would like to share with our readers. Please let us know via a short email to information.standards@hscic.gov.uk and we will contact you directly for more information.

The next newsletter will be published in Autumn 2015.

The UKTC Newsletter Editorial Team

Withdrawal of Read Codes

As clinicians increasingly use electronic records, and the momentum to flow data across the NHS continues, the clinical risks from multiple terminologies becomes greater. Clinicians who work in multiple locations cannot be expected to work with different terms in different systems, and as the take up of SNOMED CT increases in secondary care, some SNOMED Clinical Terms will not map to Read codes without loss of information, which can hamper safe electronic information flow.

The NIB have recognised this and the Standardisation Committee for Care Information (SCCI) confirmed the last updated release of Read v2 will be April 2016 and for primary care to move to SNOMED CT before 01 January 2017. Information Standards Notices have now been issued in relation to the withdrawal of both Read v2 and Read v3.

SMOMED CT - Learn more!

We are currently developing a new module on ‘Finding concepts in SNOMED CT’ which we plan to launch before the next newsletter. For details of all the UKTC training and resources, including dates for our popular live webinars, visit the UKTC Training and Resources area and the eLearning on InfoStandards.

The HSCIC and Barts Health have recently published an in-depth case study on the benefits of electronic systems that incorporate SNOMED CT from the experiences at the trust.

The HSCIC signpost a number of browsers that can be used to view the content in the SNOMED CT terminology; each browser comes with a quick guide to get you started.

Radiopharmaceuticals content in UK Drug Extension

Since December 2014, the SNOMED CT UK Drug Extension data has contained radiopharmaceuticals products and by working with the UK Radiopharmacists Group, we have been able to develop a model for the inclusion of these products. The scope comprises ready to use radiopharmaceuticals, kits and radiopharmaceutical items prepared immediately before use and the output from radionuclide generators.

The model uses a three-tiered structure similar to the approach in the rest of dm+d; pack concepts being associated with the two most granular concept levels. The initial population of data will be in the SNOMED CT UK Drug Extension and not in dm+d. However the model is structured such that if it was felt advantageous in the future these concepts could be included within the current dm+d structure.

There is further information in the SNOMED CT UK Drug Extension Editorial Policy which has now been updated to include a section specifically on radiopharmaceuticals.

Population of the data is being undertaken as part of the business as usual maintenance of SNOMED CT and so we are currently collating information on products available in the UK. If anyone has specific items they wish to be included, please email the HelpDesk. Further information on the model and scope of this work can be obtained from emma.melhuish@hscic.gov.uk.

National conference: ‘Delivering Clinical Benefits with SNOMED CT’

Some organisations have been using SNOMED CT and dm+d for a number of years and we are delighted that the conference on 03 March to share experiences and clinical benefits was fully booked with a long waiting list. Presentations from the event will be available on our website shortly after the event.