Q&A – New Read Codes

Question:

I have a national project that requires new Read codes – these are not being developed in Scotland at present, what should I do? 

Answer:

Firstly please double check you definitely require new Read codes. As your project definitely requires specific Read codes the way forward would be to request specific SNOMED CT Terms which can be requested by contacting the Terminology helpdesk email at nss.terminologyhelp@nhs.net or telephone 0131-275-7283. 

Additional Question:

The underlying problem for me continues to be the lack of guidance coming from on high about coding. New diagnostic labels seem to be appearing all the time, esp coming from secondary care, and there are no Read codes for them. Which means I, my colleagues who do coding but have no clinical background, and the clinicians in the practice are all doing our own thing, and there is no consistent practice. I do my best to make recommendations to everyone when I realise there is a problem, but as most of my time is spent in historic records it can be a while before I notice there is an issue. If you have any helpful advice to offer I would greatly appreciate it. Eg is there anywhere I can look for updates/recommendations on a regular basis?

Additional Reply:

Thanks for your query, indeed this is a challenge with new ‘diagnostic labels’ appearing – in particular genetic test results which there are often not Read codes available for these. This problem ultimately will be rectified when SNOMED CT is completely phased in and it is possible to generate new codes. As you are aware at present the Scottish Read codes have been depreciated and are no longer being updated. In terms of training would suggest therefore that future proofing your skills by undertaking training on SNOMED CT would be valuable.

NHS Digital has produced resources which may assist these; NHS Digital Education and Training – SNOMED CT Implementation in Primary Care 

Available from: 

https://hscic.kahootz.com/connect.ti/t_c_home/view?objectId=300083#

[Accessed 1st April 2019] 

General coding education resources can be found also via NHS Digital; Education and Training Library, training programmes, the National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ) and the Clinical Coding Academies network. Available from: 

https://hscic.kahootz.com/connect.ti/t_c_home/view?objectId=297715#297715

[Accessed 1st April 2019]

Hope this is helpful.

SCIMP

Currently GP IT Re-Provisioning is occurring – this means that there is going to be a lag of time until SNOMED CT Terms will be widely utilised in primary care.  As an interim when a new SNOMED CT Term is produced it is possible for the current two GP IT suppliers to generate local codes in a Read format which correspond to the new SNOMED CT Term. 

SCIMP