What basis is morbidity and mortality calculated on?
A In the modelling this was calculated on the HSE standardised illness ratio and the Standardised Mortality Ration derived from ONS data. These variables are applied to each practice via the Attribution Dataset (ADS), a breakdown (by GP) of registration, age band, sex and postcode of residence of the population, in England and its equivalent elsewhere. Q I have concerns about the process of normalisation, whereby weighted populations are adjusted to total the ONS population. I think that this will particularly disadvantage practices in inner-city areas, where the ONS population is most inaccurate. A You are right and we have pressed the Departments very hard on this. That is why the Departments have now agreed to use registered populations from 1 April 2004.
