Version: 1.0.0 | Published: 15 Apr 2026 | Updated: 0 days ago
Summary
Documentation
Description:
The Brain Health Data Pilot (BHDP) project aims to be a shared database (like a library) of information for scientists studying brain health, especially for diseases like dementia, which affects about 900,000 people in the UK. Its main feature is a huge collection of brain images linked to routinely collected health records, both from NHS Scotland, which will help scientists learn more about dementia and other brain diseases. What is special about this database is that it will get better over time – as scientists use it and add their discoveries, it becomes more valuable.
This dataset is a subset of the Prescribing Information System (PIS) data for use with the BHDP project.
The information is supplied by Practitioner & Counter Fraud Services Division (P&CFS) who is responsible for the processing and pricing of all prescriptions dispensed in Scotland. These data are augmented with information on prescriptions written in Scotland that were dispensed elsewhere in the United Kingdom. GP’s write the vast majority of these prescriptions, with the remainder written by other authorised prescribers such as nurses and dentists. Also included in the dataset are prescriptions written in hospitals that are dispensed in the community. Note that prescriptions dispensed within hospitals are not included. Data includes CHI number, prescriber and dispenser details for community prescribing, costs and drug information. Data on practices (e.g. list size), organisational structures (e.g. practices within Community Health Partnerships (CHPs) and NHS Boards), prescribable items (e.g. manufacturer, formulation code, strength) are also included.
Around 100 million data items are loaded per annum.
In Pipeline:
Not available
Coverage
Spatial:
- United Kingdom
- Scotland
Typical Age Range Min:
0
Typical Age Range Max:
150
Material Type:
None/not available
Follow Up:
Other
Pathway:
Primary & community dispensed prescriptions
Provenance
Origin
Purpose:
Care
Dataset Type:
Health and disease
Dataset Sub-Type:
Not applicable
Source:
Other
Collection Source:
Primary care - Clinic
Image Contrast:
Not stated
Temporal
Publishing Frequency:
Static
Distribution Release Date:
17 June 2024
Start Date:
01 January 2009
End Date:
24 May 2024
Time Lag:
Not applicable
Accessibility
Access
Access Service:
Scottish National Safe Haven / Trusted Research Environment:
https://publichealthscotland.scot/services/data-research-and-innovation-services/electronic-data-research-and-innovation-service-edris/national-safe-haven-nsh/
Brain Health Data Pilot study
Access Request Cost:
Delivery Lead Time:
Variable
Data Controller:
Public Health Scotland / National Records Scotland
Data Processor:
National Services Scotland
Jurisdiction:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Usage
Data Use Limitation:
Research-specific restrictions
Data Use Requirements:
- Collaboration required
- Geographical restrictions
- Institution-specific restrictions
- Not for profit use
Resource Creator:
- Public Health Scotland
- National Services Scotland
- Scottish Ambulance Service
- NHS24
- GP OOH
Format and Standards
Vocabulary Encoding Scheme:
DM+D
Conforms To:
OTHER
Language:
English
Format:
- text
- csv
Observations
Statistical Population
Population Description
Population Size
Measured Property
Observation Date
Events
paid items
606412372
Count
24 December 2020
Events
prescribed items
606412372
Count
17 June 2024
Persons
Persons with prescriptions
818360
Count
17 June 2024